Comparing 4-digit numbers

In your book, Maths Mela (Chapter 4), Jaspreet and Gulnaz keep a record of the plates used at the Gurudwara each month. In February 1213 plates were used, and in March 2121. Which is more? Start with the biggest place, the thousands: 2 thousands beats 1 thousand, so 2121 > 1213. The sign > means 'is greater than' and < means 'is less than'.

If the thousands are the same, look at the hundreds. Why is 3102 bigger than 3012? Both have 3 thousands. 3102 has 1 hundred, but 3012 has 0 hundreds. So 3102 > 3012, and we do not even need to look at the tens and ones. In the same way, 7087 < 7088: everything is the same until the ones, and 7 ones is less than 8 ones.

A 3-digit number is always smaller than a 4-digit number: 982 < 1024, even though 9 is a big digit. And 1009 < 9001, because 1 thousand is less than 9 thousands.

The book asks you to put prices in increasing order (smallest first): ₹1099, ₹1899, ₹1986. It also lists the heights of some peaks in metres, to put in decreasing order (highest first): 8611, 8586, 7816, 7138, 1930, 1646, 1276. Look at 8611 and 8586: both have 8 thousands, but 6 hundreds beats 5 hundreds.

Sometimes a number is given in parts, in a jumbled order. 2 Tens + 4 Thousands + 3 Hundreds: put each part in its own place. 4 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 0 ones is 4320. So it is greater than 2043, and equal to 4320.