2nd Grade Ordering Numbers

Ordering numbers is an important math skill for 2nd grade students. It helps children understand number value, compare numbers, and arrange them correctly. 2nd Grade Ordering Numbers lesson, students will learn how to order numbers in ascending and descending order using clear examples and simple steps.

This page is perfect for Class 2 students, parents, and teachers looking for easy explanations and practice.

What Is Ordering Numbers?

Ordering numbers means arranging numbers from smallest to greatest or greatest to smallest.

There are two main ways to order numbers:

I. Ascending order – from smallest to biggest.

II. Descending order – from biggest to smallest.

Understanding ordering numbers helps children build strong number sense.

I. Ascending order:

Ascending order means arranging numbers from smallest to largest.

or,

Ascending order means to write given numbers from smallest to the greatest.

For Example:

Arrange the numbers 24, 12, 35 in ascending order.

Start by finding the smallest number first, then move to the bigger numbers.

We see the first smallest number is 12, then 24 and next 35.

Therefore, the given numbers in ascending order: 12, 24, 35.

We can write as 12 < 24 < 35.

II. Descending order:

Descending order means arranging numbers from 

Descending order means arranging numbers from largest to smallest.

or,

Descending order means to write given numbers from greatest to smallest.

For Example:

Arrange the numbers 48, 19, 32 in descending order. 

Look for the biggest number first, then arrange the rest.

First we see the greatest number is 48, then 32 and next 19.

Therefore, the given numbers in descending order: 48, 32, 19

We can write as 48 > 32 > 19.

Steps for Ordering Numbers:

Follow these simple steps to order numbers correctly:

Step I: Look at all the numbers carefully.

Step II: Compare the place value (hundreds, tens, ones).

Step III: Find the smallest or largest number.

Step IV: Arrange the numbers in the correct order.

These steps make ordering numbers easy for 2nd grade learners.

Ordering 2-Digit Numbers:

When ordering two-digit numbers, compare:

Look at the tens digit first

The number with the smaller tens digit is smaller.

For Example:

    23 and 45

→ 2 tens < 4 tens

→ 23 < 45

If tens digits are the same, compare the ones digit

For Example:

    36 and 39

→ tens are same (3),

compare ones

Since, 6 < 9

Therefore, 36 < 39.

More Examples on Ordering Two-Digit Numbers:

1. Arrange the numbers 42, 15, 38 in Ascending Order (Smallest to Greatest):

Write the number smallest to greatest.

15, 38, 42 → Ascending order.

or, 

15 < 38 < 42.

2. Arrange the numbers 64, 29, 71 in Descending Order (Greatest to Smallest):

Write the number Greatest to Smallest.

71, 64, 29 → Ascending order.

or, 

71 > 64 > 29.

Ordering 3-Digit Numbers:

For three-digit numbers:

(i) Compare the hundreds digit first

The number with the smaller hundreds digit is smaller.

For Example:

245 and 389

Compare the hundreds digit

Since, 2 hundreds < 3 hundreds

Therefore, 245 < 389.

(ii) If hundreds digits are the same, compare the tens digit

For Example:

462 and 487

Here, hundreds digits same (4),

Now compare the tens digit.

Since, 6 < 8

Therefore, 462 < 487.

(iii) If hundreds and tens are the same, compare the ones digit

For Example:

578 and 579

Here, both the hundreds and tens digits are same.

So, compare the ones digit.

Since, 8 < 9

Therefore, 578 < 579.

More Examples on Ordering Three-Digit Numbers:

1. Arrange the numbers 356, 142, 289 in Ascending Order (Smallest to Greatest):

The given numbers are 356, 142, 289.

Write the number smallest to greatest.

The first smallest number is 142, then 289 and next 356.

The numbers in ascending order: 142, 289, 356.

Or, 142 < 289 < 356.

2. Arrange the numbers 704, 681, 725 in Descending Order (Greatest to Smallest):

The given numbers are 704, 681, 725.

Write the number greatest to smallest

The first greatest number is 725, then 704 and next 681.

The numbers in descending order: 725, 704, 681

Or, 725 > 704 > 681.

Now, let's arrange bigger numbers in ascending and descending orders.

Look at the given examples.

Worksheet on 2nd Grade Ordering Numbers:

I. Arrange the 2-Digit Numbers in Ascending Order:

1. 45, 23, 67, 38

Ascending order: ____________________________

2. 72, 58, 64, 49

Ascending order: ____________________________

3. 81, 76, 69, 74

Ascending order: ____________________________

4. 35, 42, 29, 48

Ascending order: ____________________________

5. 90, 84, 78, 86

Ascending order: ____________________________

6. 63, 66, 61, 69

Ascending order: ____________________________

7. 55, 59, 52, 58

Ascending order: ____________________________

II. Arrange the 2-Digit Numbers in Descending Order:

1. 45, 23, 67, 38

Descending order: ____________________________

2. 72, 58, 64, 49

Descending order: ____________________________

3. 81, 76, 69, 74

Descending order: ____________________________

4. 35, 42, 29, 48

Descending order: ____________________________

5. 90, 84, 78, 86

Descending order: ____________________________

6. 63, 66, 61, 69

Descending order: ____________________________

7. 55, 59, 52, 58

Descending order: ____________________________

III. Arrange the 3-Digit Numbers in Ascending Order:

1. 245, 132, 389, 276

Ascending order: ____________________________

2. 410, 358, 492, 365

Ascending order: ____________________________

3. 704, 681, 725, 699

Ascending order: ____________________________

4. 156, 198, 142, 175

Ascending order: ____________________________

5. 830, 805, 892, 814

Ascending order: ____________________________

6. 467, 476, 464, 469

Ascending order: ____________________________

7. 901, 845, 876, 889
Ascending order: ____________________________

IV. Arrange the 3-Digit Numbers in Ascending Order:

1. 345, 128, 476, 259

Descending order: ____________________________

2. 582, 467, 519, 498

Descending order: ____________________________

3. 704, 689, 725, 698

Descending order: ____________________________

4. 193, 275, 148, 216

Descending order: ____________________________

5. 860, 905, 842, 891

Descending order: ____________________________

6. 467, 476, 469, 464

Descending order: ____________________________

7. 912, 885, 901, 876

Descending order: ____________________________

Answers:

I. 1. 23, 38, 45, 67

2. 49, 58, 64, 72

3. 69, 74, 76, 81

4. 29, 35, 42, 48

5. 78, 84, 86, 90

6. 61, 63, 66, 69

7. 52, 55, 58, 59

II. 1. 67, 45, 38, 23

2. 72, 64, 58, 49

3. 81, 76, 74, 69

4. 48, 42, 35, 29

5. 90, 86, 84, 78

6. 69, 66, 63, 61

7. 59, 58, 55, 52

III. 1. 132, 245, 276, 389

2. 358, 365, 410, 492

3. 681, 699, 704, 725

4. 142, 156, 175, 198

5. 805, 814, 830, 892

6. 464, 467, 469, 476

7. 845, 876, 889, 901

IV. 1. 476, 345, 259, 128

2. 582, 519, 498, 467

3. 725, 704, 698, 689

4. 275, 216, 193, 148

5. 905, 891, 860, 842

6. 476, 469, 467, 464

7. 912, 901, 885, 876

Ordering numbers is an easy and fun topic for 2nd grade students when taught step-by-step. With regular practice, children can quickly learn how to arrange numbers correctly in ascending and descending order.

Keep practicing and enjoy learning math @ www.math-only-math.com! 😊

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