How to see it
Compare from the left, one column at a time. The first column that is different decides it. Nothing after that matters. Four millions is less than five millions. Done. All those nines never get a vote. The symbols: the mouth always opens towards the bigger number.
A worked example
Which of these is largest: 4,999,999, 5,100,000, 5,099,999, 5,010,000? Millions first. Four loses. Three of them have a 5, so they tie. Next column, hundred thousands. 1 beats 0. So 5,100,000 wins.
The common mistake: judging by the later digits
The trap is being pulled by big digits at the end. Look at all those nines, it feels enormous, and it is the smallest of the four.
Try one
Which is the largest? 999,999, 1,003,200, 1,030,200 or 1,030,199.
- A999,999
- B1,003,200
- C1,030,200
- D1,030,199
Show the answerHide the answer
Right: C, 1,030,200
It has the same start as D, but the hundreds digit beats it.