Early Math · Grade K

More, Less and the Same

Quick answer

To compare two groups, match each object in one group with an object in the other. The group with objects left over has more; if every object has a partner, the groups are equal. Counting both groups works too. To compare two numbers, the one that comes later when counting is greater.

What you'll learn

  • Tell whether one group has more than, less than, or the same as another
  • Compare groups by matching and by counting
  • Compare two numbers from 1 to 10

Which has more?

Here are two rows. Which row has more dots?

Two rows to compare Two rows of dots. The top row has five blue dots. The bottom row has three orange dots.
Two rows to compare

Match each dot on top with a dot on the bottom. The top row has 22 dots with no match. So the top row has more.

The bottom row has less. We can say it has fewer dots, too.

Why matching works

When you match, each dot gets one partner in the other row.

If one row runs out first, the other row has dots left over. Those left-over dots are the extra ones. The row with dots left over has more.

If each dot has a partner and none are left, the rows have the same number. We say they are equal.

You can count, too. The top row has 55 and the bottom row has 33. We say 55 after 33 when we count, so 55 is more.

Do not trust the size

Big dots do not mean more dots. Spread-out dots do not mean more dots.

Same count, not the same look Two rows with four dots each. The dots in the bottom row are spaced far apart so the row looks longer.
Same count, not the same look

Both rows have 44 dots. Match them, or count them. They are equal.

Compare two numbers

To compare two numbers, think of the order we count in.

1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  101, \; 2, \; 3, \; 4, \; 5, \; 6, \; 7, \; 8, \; 9, \; 10

The number that comes later is greater. The number that comes first is less.

88 comes after 55. So 88 is greater than 55, and 55 is less than 88.

Worked examples

Common mistakes

Practice problems

  1. Which row has more?

    Which row has more? Two rows of dots. The top row has three blue dots. The bottom row has seven orange dots.
    Which row has more?
    Answer

    The bottom row.

    Full solution

    Match the dots. The bottom row has 44 dots left over, so it has more.

  2. Which row has fewer?

    Which row has fewer? Two rows of dots. The top row has eight blue dots. The bottom row has five orange dots.
    Which row has fewer?
    Answer

    The bottom row.

    Full solution

    The bottom row runs out first. It has 55 and the top row has 88.

  3. A plate has 44 apples. A plate has 44 pears. Are they equal?

    Answer

    Yes.

    Full solution

    Each apple can match a pear, with none left over.

  4. Which is greater, 66 or 22?

    Answer

    66

    Full solution

    We say 66 after 22 when we count.

  5. Which is less, 1010 or 77?

    Answer

    77

    Full solution

    We say 77 first, then 88, 99, 1010. So 77 is less.

  6. Jo has 55 stars. Max has 99 stars. Who has more?

    Answer

    Max

    Full solution

    99 comes after 55, so 99 is more.

  7. Are the rows equal?

    Are the rows equal? Two rows of dots with five dots in each row.
    Are the rows equal?
    Answer

    Yes.

    Full solution

    Each dot has a partner in the other row, and none are left.

  8. Which is greater, 11 or 1010?

    Answer

    1010

    Full solution

    1010 comes last when we count to 1010.

  9. A row has 33 big balls. A row has 66 small balls. Which row has more balls?

    Answer

    The row of small balls.

    Full solution

    Size does not count. 66 is more than 33.

  10. Lily says a row of 44 spread-out blocks has more than a row of 55 blocks packed close. What is wrong?

    Hint

    Match the blocks one to one.

    Answer

    The row of 55 has more. Spread-out blocks only look like more.

    Full solution

    Match each of the 44 blocks with one of the 55. One block from the row of 55 is left over.

    So the row of 55 has more. How far apart the blocks are does not change how many there are.

Frequently asked questions

How can a child tell which group has more?

Match the objects one to one, or count both groups. The group with objects left over after matching, or with the larger count, has more.

Does a group that takes up more space have more?

Not always. Spread-out objects can look like more. Matching or counting shows the real answer.

What does equal mean?

The same number. Two groups are equal when every object in one can be matched with an object in the other and none are left over.

How do I compare two numbers like 6 and 9?

The number that comes later when counting is greater. 9 comes after 6, so 9 is greater than 6.

Is fewer the same as less?

For things that can be counted, yes. A group with fewer objects has less than the other group.

What to learn next

Standards alignment

This lesson covers the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.6Counting and CardinalityIdentify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.7Counting and CardinalityCompare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.
For teachersTick to print a blank worksheet; leave it clear to print the lesson with the full answer key.