Numbers 1 to 5
Primary 1 · Mathematics
Numbers 1 to 5
Lesson 6 of 8
12 min
Let's begin
Umutoni and Byiringiro sit down with their beans at lunch.
Umutoni says her heap is bigger. Byiringiro says his heap is bigger.
Today you will learn how to find out who is right.
Lay the two groups in two rows, one under the other.
Match one bean to one bean. Then count each row.
Umutoni has 4 beans. Byiringiro has 3 beans.
Byiringiro's row runs out first.
So 4 is more than 3. And 3 is fewer than 4.
When both rows run out together, the two groups are the same.
Careful! Do not judge by how long a row looks. Count it.
One more means you put one in. One less means you take one out.
Start with 3 stones. One more is 4.
Start with 3 stones again. One less is 2.
Careful! One less is always smaller. Many children answer 4 here. Stop and take one away.
Say them from the smallest:
Each number is one more than the one before it.
So 1 is the smallest here. And 5 is the biggest.
Worked example
who was right?
Step 1 Umutoni and Byiringiro lay their beans in two rows.
Step 2 They match one bean to one bean.
Step 3 One bean in Umutoni's row has no partner.
So Umutoni has more beans. Byiringiro has fewer.
Then they count to be sure. Umutoni has 4. Byiringiro has 3.
Tip
Match first, then count
Your eyes guess. Your fingers know.
The row that runs out first has fewer.
More, fewer, the same: match the groups and see
Count both groups before you answer. Then tap Show answer to check.
Keza has 5 beans. Mugisha has 3 beans. Who has more?
Answer: Keza. 5 is more than 3.
Gatete has 2 mangoes. Mutesi has 4 mangoes. Who has fewer?
Answer: Gatete. 2 is fewer than 4.
Ishimwe has 3 pencils. What is one more than 3?
Answer: 4. Put one more pencil in.
Uwase has 5 stones. What is one less than 5?
Answer: 4. Take one stone out.
Put the cards 3, 1 and 5 in order. Start with the smallest.
Answer: 1, 3, 5. One is smallest, five is biggest.
What you learned today
Quick check
Umutoni has 4 beans. Byiringiro has 3. Who has fewer?
