Read, Write & Compare
Multi-Digit Whole Numbers
Grade 4
4.NBT.2PP
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Place Value – Reading and Writing multi-digit whole numbers
We know that numbers can be written
in number form OR standard form…
We can also write 6,765 using
words OR word form …
6,765
We say this number as
6
7 65
(1000)
(100)
It is written …
Six thousand, seven hundred
sixty-five
1000
100
10
1
6
7
6
5
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Place Value – Reading and Writing multi-digit whole numbers
Another way to read and write our numbers is using
Base-10 blocks.
Each block as you know has a value and once we understand these values
we can start creating numbers.
We need 10
hundreds to make a
“block” or a Base
1000.
We need 10 tens to
make a “flat” or a
Base 100.
We need 10 ones to
make a “long” or a
Base 10.
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Here is the number 6,575
Thousands
Hundreds
Tens
Ones
5 x 1 is 5
5x1=5
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So let’s investigate 6 , 5 7 5 further …
Thousands
Hundreds
6 block
5 flats
OR
OR
6 x 1,000 is
5 x 100 is 500
6,000
5 x 100 = 500
6 x 1,000 = 6,000
6,000
+
500
Tens
Ones
7 longs
OR
7 x 10 is 70
7 x 10 = 70
+
70
+
5
This expression of 6,575 is called expanded form.
6,000
6,000
500
70 +
5
6,575
+
500
+
Thousands
Hundreds
Tens
Ones
All the
numbers added
together
70
+
5
Expanded form helps us
to see what value each
number has. It shows us
“how many units” in each
number.
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So we have looked at numbers
in
1.
2.
Standard form
…
1,234
Word form
One thousand,
two hundred
thirty-four
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3.
in Base 10 form
Thousan Hundreds
ds
Tens
Ones
4.
And in
Expanded form
1000 + 200 + 30 + 4
Now we are going to move on and compare numbers using one or more of these
expressions.
<
<
Comparing 2 numbers using symbols
673 > 573
This symbol is Greater Than.
Imagine a big mouth eating. The
big part is facing the largest
number.
<
<
This symbol is the Equals.
Which means both numbers345 = 345
have of the same value.
405 < 415
This symbol is Less Than. This
symbol points to the smaller
number.
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Comparing 2 numbers using symbols
E.g.
Here both
numbers
have the
same value.
The 0 in 405 is
10 less than
the 1 in 415.
<
<
The 6 in 673 is
100 more than
the 5 in 573.
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OR
<
Therefore
we use the
Greater Than
symbol.
Both can be
expanded to
300 + 40 + 5
345 = 345
<
673 > 573
OR
405 < 415
Therefore we use
the
Less Than
symbol.
How to Compare 2 Numbers
Because in grade 4 we learn to read large numbers, it is good to have hints to help
understand how to comparing two numbers.
Hint #1:
1st good thing to do is count your digit. The number
1,235,711 has 7 digits and the number 123,571 has 6
digits therefore the 2nd number is automatically smaller.
1,235,711
1
2 3 4
5
7 digits
6
7
>
123,571
1
2
3
4 5 6
6 digits
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Now if the new numbers you are comparing have the same number of digits.
We go to hint # 2. 
E.g. New number
6,740
3,640
Hint #2:
We start looking at the digit that is the furthest to the
both numbers .
6,740
Are they the same?
a3
>
for
3,640
No! One is a 6 & the other is
So … we look to see which number has the the greater value.
i.e 6,000 is greater than 3,000.
Therefore …
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Now if the new numbers you are comparing have the same number of digits and the
furthest digit is of the same value.
We go to hint # 3. 
E.g. New number
6,740
6,540
Hint #3: If the furthest digit is the same then you look at the
next number, to the right and
6,740
6,540
again compare which one has the greater value. i.e.
6,700is greater in value than 6,500.
6,740
>
6,540
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Last one! Now if the new numbers you are comparing have the same number of digits and
the digits to the left are of the same value.
We go to hint # 4. 
Same
number!
E.g. New number
6,791
6,891
Hint #4:
The fourth hint is that you need to continue checking
the value of the numbers all the way down until you
come to the digit that is different.
i.e. 6,700 is less than 6,800
6,791
<
6,891
Happy comparing! 