fractionsDecimals · Year 5 · AC9M5N01
Comparing decimals
A longer decimal is not automatically larger. 0.5 is bigger than 0.45, even though 0.45 has more digits. The trick is to give both numbers the same number of decimal places by padding with zeros at the end: 0.5 becomes 0.50. Now compare digit by digit from the left — tenths first, then hundredths. 0.50 has 5 tenths and 0.45 has only 4 tenths, so 0.50 is larger. Remember the digits after the point are tenths and hundredths, not an ordinary whole number.
Sample questions
Which decimal is the largest? 0.65, 0.83, 0.81, 0.2
- Write every number with 2 decimal places: 0.65, 0.83, 0.81, 0.20.
- Compare the whole numbers first, then tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths.
- The largest is 0.83.
Answer: 0.83
Which decimal is the largest? 0.7, 0.35, 0.4, 0.23
- Write every number with 2 decimal places: 0.70, 0.35, 0.40, 0.23.
- Compare the whole numbers first, then tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths.
- The largest is 0.7.
Answer: 0.7
Which decimal is the largest? 0.01, 0.73, 0.4, 0.78
- Write every number with 2 decimal places: 0.01, 0.73, 0.40, 0.78.
- Compare the whole numbers first, then tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths.
- The largest is 0.78.
Answer: 0.78