Place Value Charts: Comparing/Ordering [TEKS Tools Grade 3]

This post specifically looks at how place value charts can be used to compare/order numbers. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here.

PlAce Value Charts

Place value charts, the third TEKS Tool, account for around 13% of each 3rd grade STAAR test. These charts help students understand our base-10 number system.

The main function of a place value chart is to show the relationship between place value locations in our number system. By visualizing numbers on a place value chart, students can compose, decompose, compare, and order numbers and understand place value magnitude.

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Comparing

3.2D - compare and order whole numbers up to 100,000 and represent comparisons using the symbols >, <, or =

Students are asked to compare multiple numbers using place value.

Click on each > to expand

2023-13: a real-world situation was shown on a number line, students had to interpret and explain it

2024-2: students had to identify a mystery number using comparative clues

2025-30: students had to find one number (from four) that lies between two other numbers

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Ordering

3.2D - compare and order whole numbers up to 100,000 and represent comparisons using the symbols >, <, or =

Students are asked to list numbers from greatest to least or least to greatest.

Click on each > to expand

2023-25: students were given four numbers to order from least to greatest

2025-9: students were given four numbers to order and had to identify the greatest and least