Maths · Counting & Numbers
Compare groups
Say which group has more, fewer, or the same.
Practice & Master are locked until you try:
What does 'more' mean?
More means a bigger amount. If you have 5 sweets and your friend has 3 sweets, you have more sweets. We can count each group to find out.
What does 'fewer' mean?
Fewer means a smaller amount. If one basket has 4 apples and another has 7 apples, the first basket has fewer apples. Fewer is the opposite of more.
What does 'the same' mean?
The same means both groups have the same amount. If you have 6 pencils and I have 6 pencils, we have the same number of pencils.
How do we compare groups?
First, count how many are in each group. Then look at the numbers. The bigger number means more. The smaller number means fewer.
Tips for comparing
You can match things one-to-one to help. Put one from each group in pairs. The group with extras has more. Well done for learning this!
Worked examples
1. Tom has 8 toy cars. Sam has 5 toy cars. Who has more cars?
- Count Tom's cars: 8 cars.
- Count Sam's cars: 5 cars.
- 8 is bigger than 5.
- Tom has more cars.
2. One plate has 6 biscuits. Another plate has 6 biscuits. Which plate has fewer?
- Count the first plate: 6 biscuits.
- Count the second plate: 6 biscuits.
- 6 equals 6.
- Neither plate has fewer. They have the same.
3. Box A has 10 crayons. Box B has 12 crayons. Which box has fewer crayons?
- Count Box A: 10 crayons.
- Count Box B: 12 crayons.
- 10 is smaller than 12.
- Box A has fewer crayons.
Try it yourself
Mia has 7 books. Leo has 9 books. Who has fewer books?
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