Compare decimal numbers

key notes :

🔢 Understand Place Value in Decimals

  • A decimal has place values to the right of the decimal point.
  • Tenths (0.1) ➜ Hundredths (0.01) ➜ Thousandths (0.001)
    ✏️ Example: 3.482
  • 3 = Ones
  • 4 = Tenths
  • 8 = Hundredths
  • 2 = Thousandths

🧠 Compare Whole Numbers First

  • Look at the whole number part first.
    ✔️ Example:
    5.2 > 3.9 (because 5 > 3)

👀 If Whole Numbers are Equal, Compare Decimal Places

  1. Compare Tenths
  2. If equal, compare Hundredths
  3. If still equal, compare Thousandths
    📍 Example:
    Compare 4.56 and 4.59
  • Tenths: 5 = 5 (same)
  • Hundredths: 6 < 9
    ✅ 4.56 < 4.59

🧁 Add Zeros to Make Comparison Easier

  • Missing decimal places? Add zeros!
    🍩 Example:
    Compare 3.7 and 3.70
    Same value → 3.7 = 3.70

⚖️ Use the Symbols Correctly

SymbolMeaningExample
>Greater than2.5 > 2.3
<Less than1.25 < 1.3
=Equal to4.60 = 4.6

📊 Think of Decimals as Money for Quick Comparing

💰 Example:
Compare 0.75 and 0.8

  • 75 paise vs 80 paise
    ✅ 0.75 < 0.80

🍰 Use Fraction Thinking

  • Convert decimals to fractions for clarity.
    Example:
    0.6 = 6/10
    0.65 = 65/100
    ✅ 6/10 < 65/100 → 0.6 < 0.65

🔍 Line up Decimals to Compare

Write numbers vertically with the decimal points aligned.

  4.56
  4.5
= 4.50

Now compare the digits.

🎯 Practice with Real-life Examples

  • Comparing prices, scores, measurements, and data helps understand better.

Learn with an example

Which number is bigger, 8.019 or 8.03?

Follow the steps:

  • Write the numbers with the decimal points lined up.
8.019
8.03
  • Starting at the far left, which is the largest place value, compare the numbers.

The digit in the ones place in both numbers is an 8.

  • If the first-place value is the same in both numbers, move one spot to the right and compare again.

The digit in the tenths place in both numbers is a 0.

  • If the second place value is the same in both numbers, move one spot to the right and compare again.

The digit in the hundredths place in the top number is a 1, and it is a 3 in the bottom number.

  • The number with the larger digit is the larger number.

Since 3 is bigger than 1, then 8.03 > 8.019

8.03 > 8.019

Which decimal is less than the one shown in this diagram?

  • 0.46
  • 0.37
  • 0.5
  • 0.43

Write the decimal shown.

There are 10 columns. There are 4 coloured columns. The decimal part is four tenths.

Write four tenths as a decimal: 0.4.

The decimal shown is 0.4. Look for the decimal that is less than 0.4.

0.37 is less than 0.4. Remember that 0.4 is equivalent to 0.40. The tenths digit in 0.37 is less than the tenths digit in 0.40.

Which decimal is greater than the one shown in this diagram?

  • 0.13
  • 0.15
  • 0.0
  • 0.1

Write the decimal shown.

There are 100 squares. There are 14 coloured squares. The decimal part is fourteen hundredths.

Write fourteen hundredths as a decimal: 0.14.

The decimal shown is 0.14. Look for the decimal that is greater than 0.14.

0.15 is greater than 0.14. The hundredths digit in 0.15 is greater than the hundredths digit in 0.14.

Let’s practice!