Decimal Numbers

Comparing & Ordering Decimal Numbers

Place Value

HundredsTensUnits.TenthsHundredthsThousandths
216.528

 

Comparing Decimal Numbers

Step 1 - put the numbers in columns and make sure the decimal points are in line.

Step 2 - compare the digits starting from the left.

 

Example:

Compare 0.48 and 0.467 to see which is bigger.

Line up the numbers with the digits in columns

0.48 
0.467

 

Read the digits starting from the left:

Both numbers have no units so you look at the tenths.

Both numbers have 4 tenths so you look at the hundredths.

0.48 has 8 hundredths and 0.467 has 6 hundredths so 0.48 is bigger.
 

Ordering Decimal Numbers

Step 1 - put all the numbers in columns with the decimal points lined up.

Step 2 - compare the digits starting from the left.

Step 3 - if you have a long list of numbers to compare, cross off each number as you go so you don't miss any out.

Example

Put the following numbers in order from biggest to smallest:

2.254.7412.444.5783.81.652.89

Line up the numbers with the digits in column

2.25 
4.741
2.44 
4.578
3.8  
1.65 
2.89 

 

Compare the numbers starting from the left and cross them off as you go

From biggest to smallest the numbers are:

4.7414.5783.82.892.442.251.65
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