Place Value to 4,00,000 • Topic 3 of 3

Comparing Multi-Digit Numbers

To compare numbers with up to 6 digits, compare digit by digit from left to right, starting with the highest place value.

Strategy:

  • Count the digits — more digits = bigger number
  • If same number of digits, compare the Lakhs place first
  • If Lakhs are equal, compare Ten Thousands, and so on
  • The first place where digits differ decides which number is greater

Use symbols: > (greater than), < (less than), = (equal to)

On a number line, numbers to the right are always greater.

Comparing: 7,45,632 vs 7,45,362Step 1: Lakhs — 7 vs 7 (SAME)Step 2: Ten Thousands — 4 vs 4 (SAME)Step 3: Thousands — 5 vs 5 (SAME)Step 4: Hundreds — 6 vs 3 — 6 > 3 — STOP!Therefore: 7,45,632 > 7,45,362
Solved Examples
1
Worked Example
Compare: 7,45,632 and 7,45,362.
SolutionBoth 6-digit. Lakhs both 7 (same). TTh both 4 (same). Th both 5 (same). Hundreds: 6 vs 3. Since 6 > 3, the answer is 7,45,632 > 7,45,362.
2
Worked Example
Fill in: 5,89,000 ___ 5,98,000
SolutionLakhs both 5 (same). Ten-thousands: 8 vs 9. Since 8 < 9, the answer is 5,89,000 < 5,98,000.
3
Worked Example
Order from smallest to largest: 3,45,678; 4,00,000; 3,54,678; 3,45,687
Solution4,00,000 has largest lakhs (4). Among the three 3-lakh numbers: compare ten-thousands (4 vs 5) — 3,54,678 is largest. Between 3,45,678 and 3,45,687: compare ones (8 vs 7) — 3,45,687 > 3,45,678. Order: 3,45,678 < 3,45,687 < 3,54,678 < 4,00,000.

Key Points

  • Compare from the highest place value (Lakhs) moving right
  • The first place where digits differ decides the larger number
  • More digits always means a bigger number (e.g. 7-digit > 6-digit)
  • On a number line, numbers increase from left to right
Quick Check — 4 MCQs
Tap an option to check your answer0 / 4
Q1.A number with more digits is:
Explanation: More digits means greater.
Q2.If two numbers have the same number of digits, compare from the:
Explanation: Left (highest place).
Q3.Which is greater: $45{,}200$ or $45{,}020$?
Explanation: Compare the hundreds.
Q4.The symbol $>$ means:
Explanation: Greater than.
Practice more MCQs → 📝 Assignment · 35 marks