Five-digit numbers · Usually met around P3
Comparing five-digit numbers
Compare from the highest place: the first difference decides.
How to do it
Method
Compare from the highest place: the first difference decides
45120 < 45210
Another way
Number line
Further right is bigger
In full
First count the digits: more digits means bigger. With the same number of digits, compare from the highest place: the bigger ten-thousands digit wins; if those match, compare the thousands, and so on. The first place that differs decides. 45120 and 45210: the ten-thousands and thousands match, and 1 hundred is less than 2, so 45120 < 45210 — the places after that don't matter. Or put the numbers on a number line: further right is bigger. To make the biggest number from digit cards, put big digits in high places; the smallest five-digit number can't start with 0.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
Which of these numbers is the greatest?
- A. 22549
- B. 24799
- C. 28356
- D. 25242
Choose the right answer
Show the answer and working
Answer: C. 28356
All have 2 ten-thousands, so compare from the thousands: the greatest is 28356.
Example 2
1□587 < 19305. What is the largest digit that can go in □?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 8
The ten-thousands match, so compare the thousands. With 9 in □, compare the last three digits, 587 and 305: the largest that works is 8.
Example 3
Use each of the digit cards 2, 6, 0, 4 and 1 once to make five-digit numbers. The greatest is □ and the smallest is □.
Fill in each box
Show the answer and working
Answer: 64210，10246
Greatest: big digits in high places, 64210. Smallest: small digits first, but the first digit can't be 0: 10246.
Practise it in the game →Five-digit numbers · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download