Comparing Large Numbers: Numbers are an integral part of our lives. From checking temperatures to buying products to checking the size of the clothes we wear, we quantify everything. That’s because numbers aid us in our understanding of things and give us a sense of measurement.  

However, when it comes to more than one number, there is a need to compare the two and understand the difference for practical purposes. If a person buys a kilogram of potatoes costing Rs 60 and pays the vendor Rs 100, the vendor has to tender change of Rs 40. So it is imperative we understand large numbers. Read on as Embibe simplifies the concept of Large Numbers for you.  

Comparing Large Numbers: Meaning

Conventionally, Large Numbers are those numbers which are not used in everyday life. Such Large Numbers are used in mathematics, cryptography and even statistical mechanics. 

In the potato example stated above, 100 is greater than 60. Therefore, in comparison, it is the larger number. Generally, Large Numbers are big positive real numbers. However, they can also be used in other contexts. 

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Number System 

Comparing Large Numbers: Examples

Let us look at some of the examples of  large numbers:

1. 1 million = 1 followed by 6 zeros 
2. 1 billion = 1 followed by 9 zeros
3. 1 trillion = 1 followed by 12 zeros 

Also Read: 

What are Numbers

Number Line: Meaning 

In simple words, a Number Line is a visual representation of numbers in such a way that zero (0) is made the origin and numbers appearing to its right are positive and numbers appearing to its left are negative. These numbers are placed at regular intervals. 

The numbers increase in value as we go on reading them to the right of zero and decrease in value as we go on reading them to the left of zero. For example, in the above Number Line, 1 is greater than 0 and so on. While to the left of zero, -1 is greater than -2 and -2 is greater than -3 and so on.  

Large Numbers: How To Read Them 

Large Numbers can be easily read using the ‘place value’ method. Starting from the right of any given number, we can go on reading every digit as ones, tens, hundreds, thousands and so on.  

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Comparing Very Large and Small Numbers

For example, let’s take a look at the number mentioned below: 

12345

This number can be read from the rightmost digit as units (5), tens (4), hundreds (3), thousands (2) and ten thousands (1). When read as a whole, it is twelve thousand three hundred and forty five. 

Large Numbers and Their Comparison

In daily life, Large Numbers play a very crucial role. It could be in business transactions or in any other field, it becomes imperative to understand Large Numbers and their significance. 

For a student, comparison of Large Numbers instills what’s called Number Sense. In simple words, Number Sense makes sense of numbers to students, their ability to recognise numbers, their value and worth in relation to other numbers. 

While comparing Large Numbers, we generally use two rules that help us find out which is greater. 

1. Numbers With Equal Number of Digits 

         When two Large Numbers are compared, we start with the digits on the leftmost side to understand which is greater. For example, let’s compare 9999 and 8099. Starting and comparing the leftmost digits of the two given numbers, it is implicit that 9 is greater than 8. Therefore 9999 is greater than 8099. 

However, if the leftmost digits are the same, as in 9999 and 9018, we compare the second digits of the given numbers. In this case, the second digits are 9 and 0. So 9999 is greater than 9018. The same rule is applied to the third digit, if the second digits are the same. In simple words, we go on comparing the digits in a subsequent order. 

2. Numbers With Different Number of Digits

In this case, the number with a greater number of digits is always greater and the number with fewer digits is always smaller. 

For example, when we compare 4532 with 532, 4532 is greater because it has 4 digits while 532 has 3 digits.    

Large Numbers: Signs Used in Comparison

As we compare Large Numbers, we use a few signs to evaluate the higher or lesser value or equality of these Large Numbers. 

Here is the table: 

Symbol	Meaning
<	Lesser Than
>	Greater Than
=	Equal To

Alligator Allegory To Understand Large Numbers Comparison Better 

Allegorically, an alligator and its mouth can be used to evaluate the greater or lesser value of numbers. 

If the alligator opens its mouth to the left, it is pointing towards the greater number and when it opens to the right, it is pointing to the lesser number.  The pictorial representation below should elucidate the concept better: 

In this picture, the alligator opens its mouth to the left, signifying that 63 is greater than 36. 

63 > 36

We hope this article on Large Numbers help you understand the importance of their comparison. For more such informative articles, keep visiting Embibe.