X Tables
Pokemon Maths

Where is place value hiding in Pokémon stat comparisons?

Compare bigger and smaller stats using place value.

Quick answer

Place value helps us understand how big or small Pokémon stats are when we compare them, like seeing if one Pokémon has more Attack points than another by looking at the tens and ones digits.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare Pokémon stats using place value to decide which Pokémon is stronger or weaker in a particular area. Success signs:
  • You can tell which number is bigger or smaller by looking at the tens and ones digits
  • You can use symbols like > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to) to show comparisons
  • You can explain why one Pokémon’s Attack stat is higher than another’s
  • You can find the biggest or smallest stat in a list of Pokémon numbers

Why this matters

When you play Pokémon, you often need to know which Pokémon is stronger or better at something. You can use place value to compare their stats. For example, if one Pokémon has 80 Attack and another has 90 Attack, you can quickly see that 90 is bigger than 80 because 9 tens is more than 8 tens. This helps you choose the best Pokémon for battles or to build your team.

How it works

Place value means that each digit in a number has a different value depending on where it is. In a two-digit number like 45:
  • The digit 4 is in the tens place, so it means 4 tens or 40
  • The digit 5 is in the ones place, so it means 5 ones or 5
When comparing numbers, we start by looking at the tens place. If the tens are different, the number with more tens is bigger. If the tens are the same, we look at the ones.

Examples you can see

Let’s compare two Pokémon stats:
Pokémon Attack
Charizard 84
Blastoise 87
To compare 84 and 87:
  1. Look at the tens digit: both are 8
  2. Look at the ones digit: 4 and 7
  3. Since 7 is bigger than 4, 87 is bigger than 84
  4. So Blastoise has a higher Attack stat than Charizard
Here’s another example:
Pokémon Speed
Pikachu 90
Rapidash 65
To compare 90 and 65:
  1. Look at the tens digit: 9 and 6
  2. Since 9 is bigger than 6, 90 is bigger than 65
  3. So Pikachu is faster than Rapidash

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Pokémon Stat Battle! You are a Pokémon trainer who has just caught two new Pokémon. You want to know which one is better at attacking. Here’s what you found:
  1. First Pokémon: 73 Attack
  2. Second Pokémon: 58 Attack
Your challenge:
  1. Compare the Attack stats using place value
  2. Decide which Pokémon has the higher Attack
  3. Write your answer using the correct symbol: > or <
What you do next:
  1. Look at the tens: 7 and 5
  2. Since 7 is more than 5, 73 is more than 58
  3. So the first Pokémon is stronger at Attack
  4. Write: 73 > 58
Now try this:
  1. First Pokémon: 67 Attack
  2. Second Pokémon: 67 Attack
What is the comparison?
  1. Look at the tens: both are 6
  2. Look at the ones: both are 7
  3. So 67 = 67
  4. They are equal!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 45 is bigger than 54 because 5 is bigger than 4
  • Why it happens: Confusing which digit is in the tens place
  • Fix: Remember to always look at the tens digit first. 54 has 5 tens (50) and 45 has 4 tens (40), so 54 is bigger
  • Mistake: Using the wrong symbol when comparing
  • Why it happens: Not knowing which direction the symbol points
  • Fix: The symbol always points to the smaller number. 32 < 45 means 32 is smaller than 45
  • Mistake: Comparing numbers that are in different places (like 3-digit and 2-digit)
  • Why it happens: Not understanding that 3-digit numbers have hundreds, tens, and ones
  • Fix: Always compare the biggest place value first. For example, 123 > 98 because 1 hundred is more than 0 hundreds

Parent and carer guide

To help your child with Pokémon stat comparisons:
  • Use real Pokémon cards or apps to show stats
  • Play a game where you compare two stats and see who wins
  • Ask your child to explain why one stat is bigger than another
  • Use everyday examples like comparing the number of toys or pieces of fruit
  • Encourage them to write the comparison with the correct symbol
A few tips:
  • Don’t rush the learning. Take time to explain place value using visual aids like blocks or counters
  • Use games or apps that let children practice comparing numbers
  • Be patient if they make mistakes – that’s part of learning
  • Ask questions like “Which Pokémon has more Speed?” to get them thinking

Practice questions

  1. Compare 45 and 37. Which is bigger?
  2. Compare 62 and 68. Which is bigger?
  3. Compare 91 and 91. Are they equal?
  4. Compare 23 and 56. Which is bigger?
  5. Compare 74 and 47. Which is bigger?
Answers:
  1. 45 < 37, so 45 is smaller than 37
  2. 62 < 68, so 68 is bigger than 62
  3. 91 = 91, so they are equal
  4. 23 < 56, so 56 is bigger than 23
  5. 74 > 47, so 74 is bigger than 47

FAQ

What is place value?

Place value means that each digit in a number has a different value depending on where it is. For example, in 54, the 5 is in the tens place and means 50, and the 4 is in the ones place and means 4.

How do I compare Pokémon stats?

You look at the tens digit first. If they’re the same, then you look at the ones digit. The number with more tens is bigger, and if the tens are the same, the one with more ones is bigger.

Why is place value important?

Place value helps us understand how big or small numbers are. It’s useful in many things like shopping, cooking, and games, not just Pokémon!

Can I use place value with more than two digits?

Yes! You can use place value with any number. For example, in 123, the 1 is in the hundreds place, the 2 is in the tens place, and the 3 is in the ones place.

How can I practice place value?

You can practice by comparing numbers in everyday life, like comparing how many cookies you have or how many steps you take. You can also play games or use apps that focus on place value.