Reading, Writing and Comparing Whole Numbers Beyond 1,000,000
Primary 6 · Mathematics
Reading, Writing and Comparing Whole Numbers Beyond 1,000,000
Lesson 3 of 6
25 min
Let's begin
Two schools counted the seedlings they planted during umuganda over five years. School A planted 1 204 560. School B planted 1 240 506. The digits look almost the same! Which school planted more?
If one whole number has more digits than the other, it is bigger. 10 000 000 (8 digits) is bigger than 9 999 999 (7 digits).
Write the numbers one under the other in a place-value table. Look at the digits from the left. When the digits are the same, move one place to the right. The first place where the digits are different decides which number is bigger.
Worked example
Compare 45 609 872 and 45 690 278.
| TM | M | HTh | TTh | Th | H | T | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
For the seedlings: 1 204 560 and 1 240 506 first differ in the ten thousands place (0 and 4). So School B planted more.
The open side of the sign always faces the bigger number.
Worked example
Four coffee cooperatives earned 3 450 000 Frw, 3 405 000 Frw, 3 540 000 Frw, 345 000 Frw. Arrange the amounts in ascending order (smallest first).
Descending order is the same list turned around, biggest first.
Tip
Line them up like a football team. Write the numbers one under the other with the ones exactly lined up. Then walk along the columns from the left until you find a column where the digits disagree.
Work each one in your exercise book first, then tap Show answer to check.
Put <, > or = : 8 070 000 ___ 8 007 000
Answer: >. The hundred thousands are both 0, and then the ten thousands are 7 and 0.
Put <, > or = : 999 999 ___ 1 000 000
Answer: <. 999 999 has 6 digits and 1 000 000 has 7 digits.
Arrange in descending order: 6 060 600, 6 600 060, 6 006 660, 660 606.
Answer: 6 600 060, 6 060 600, 6 006 660, 660 606.
Which is bigger: 27 300 411 or 27 299 999?
Answer: 27 300 411. They first differ in the hundred thousands place: 3 is more than 2.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The stories, Rwandan worked examples and practice questions were written by Ganzaa.
Quick check
Which sign goes in the gap? 5 360 120 ___ 5 306 210
