When the Tens Match: Comparing the Ones to Decide

This is not just for paper. Fair judging means weighing the most important thing first. That is true of numbers and of decisions. This is worth learning because a clear order of checking keeps you from being tricked. Watch for it today, and when you spot it, tell someone what you noticed and how you knew. Ask yourself where else the same idea might be hiding, then go and look.

Today you get to learn something useful. Sometimes the tens are the same. Compare 53 and 57. Both have five tens, so the tens cannot settle it.

Now look at the ones: seven is more than three, so 57 is greater. Always start with tens, and only move to ones if the tens tie. Doing it in this order every time keeps you from being fooled by a big ones digit sitting under a small tens digit.

Try this order every single time: tens first, ones only if the tens tie. Saying the rule aloud while you work builds the habit. Habits are what keep you accurate when you are tired or in a hurry. Go slowly the first time and faster the fifth time.