Decimals are numbers with digits smaller than 1.
0.1 = 1/10
They have a decimal point in them.
Here's a decimal:
The position of each digit in a number determines, or sets, its value.
The value of each digit is ten times bigger as you go left (👈).
Place values become ten times smaller as you go right (👉).
The values of the digits to the right of the decimal point are all less than 1.
Let's learn to compare decimals with some examples.
Tip: to compare means to see which is bigger or smaller.
Compare 34.5 and 34.8
Check the digits one by one, starting with the leftmost digits.
The number with the largest digit at the largest place value is the largest overall.
Let's start with the digits in the Tens place.
The digits are the same.
So, we keep going and compare the next digit to the right, the Ones place.
The digits in the Ones place are also the same.
Now, we compare the digits to the right of the decimal point.
That's the Tenths place.
Which digit is bigger?
8 is bigger than 5.
That means:
34.5 is less than 34.8
34.5 < 34.8 ✅
Compare 456.84 and 456.81
First, compare the leftmost digits.
The digits are the same in the Hundreds, Tens, and Ones places.
Let's check the digits in the Tenths place.
They're both 8.
We need to check the next place value. That's the Hundredths place.
4 is bigger than 1.
That means:
456.84 is greater than 456.81.
456.84 > 456.81 ✅
Compare 91.37 and 91.4
First, check the digits on the left of the decimal point.
The digits on the Tens and Ones place are the same. So we continue to the next digits in the Tenths place.
3 is less than 4.
Do we still continue with the Hundredths place?
Not anymore. We already know that:
91.37 < 91.4
Compare 53.903 and 53.906
Do you know the steps by now?
We compare digits starting from the leftmost digit.
All the digits are the same in the Tens, Ones, Tenths, and Hundredths places.
Now, we compare the Thousandths digits.
Which is bigger?
6 is bigger than 3.
That means:
53.903 < 53.906
Great job! 👏
Now, complete the practice. It'll help you remember for longer.