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# compare(_:)

Returns an `NSComparisonResult` value that indicates whether the number object’s value is greater than, equal to, or less than a given number.

```
func compare(_ otherNumber: NSNumber) -> ComparisonResult
```

## Parameters

`otherNumber`

The number to compare to the number object’s value.

    This value must not be     `nil`    . If the value is     `nil`    , the behavior is undefined and may change in future versions of macOS.

## Return Value

`NSOrderedAscending` if the value of `otherNumber` is greater than the number object’s, `NSOrderedSame` if they’re equal, and `NSOrderedDescending` if the value of `otherNumber` is less than the number object’s.

## Discussion

The [`compare(_:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSNumber/compare(_:)) method follows the standard C rules for type conversion. For example, if you compare an `NSNumber` object that has an integer value with an `NSNumber` object that has a floating point value, the integer value is converted to a floating-point value for comparison.

---

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