Ordering Numbers

Ordering numbers is the process of arranging a set of numbers in a specific sequence based on their numerical value. There are three main ways to order numbers: ascending order, descending order, and comparing numbers using inequality symbols.

Ascending Order

When numbers are arranged in ascending order, they are listed from the smallest to the largest. For example, the ascending order of the numbers 5, 2, 8, and 3 would be 2, 3, 5, 8.

Descending Order

Descending order is the opposite of ascending order. Numbers are listed from the largest to the smallest. Using the same example, the descending order of the numbers 5, 2, 8, and 3 would be 8, 5, 3, 2.

Comparing Numbers

When comparing numbers, we use inequality symbols such as < (less than), > (greater than), ≤ (less than or equal to), and ≥ (greater than or equal to). These symbols help us determine the relationship between two or more numbers.

Practice Example

Let's order the numbers 12, 7, 19, and 4 in ascending order. The correct sequence would be 4, 7, 12, 19.

◂Math Worksheets and Study Guides First Grade. Ordering Numbers and Objects by Size

Study Guide

Ordering Numbers and Objects by Size

Worksheet/Answer key

Ordering Numbers and Objects by Size

Worksheet/Answer key

Ordering Numbers and Objects by Size

Worksheet/Answer key

Ordering Numbers and Objects by Size

The resources above cover the following skills:

Number and Operations (NCTM)

Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems.

Develop understanding of the relative position and magnitude of whole numbers and of ordinal and cardinal numbers and their connections.

Algebra (NCTM)

Understand patterns, relations, and functions.

Sort, classify, and order objects by size, number, and other properties.

Measurement (NCTM)

Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement.

Compare and order objects according to these attributes.

Grade 1 Curriculum Focal Points (NCTM)

Number and Operations: Developing an understanding of whole number relationships, including grouping in tens and ones

Children compare and order whole numbers (at least to 100) to develop an understanding of and solve problems involving the relative sizes of these numbers. They think of whole numbers between 10 and 100 in terms of groups of tens and ones (especially recognizing the numbers 11 to 19 as 1 group of ten and particular numbers of ones). They understand the sequential order of the counting numbers and their relative magnitudes and represent numbers on a number line.