Comparing Decimal Fractions
Learn how to determine which decimal is greater, smaller, or if they are equal!
What Does Comparing Decimals Mean?
Comparing decimals means determining which decimal number is greater, smaller, or if they are equal.
>
Greater Than
0.7 > 0.3
Seven tenths is greater than three tenths<
Less Than
0.2 < 0.8
Two tenths is less than eight tenths=
Equal To
0.5 = 0.50
Five tenths equals fifty hundredths
Key Principle: Decimals are compared by their VALUE, not by the number of digits! For example, 0.5 is greater than 0.25 even though 0.25 has more digits.
Why Comparing Decimals Matters
- Comparing prices: Which item is cheaper?
- Comparing measurements: Who is taller?
- Comparing results: Who ran faster?
- Ordering data: From least to greatest
- Making decisions: Based on numerical values