Comparing decimal numbers is done using the system: Digit-by-digit analysis

First step:

Analyze the whole numbers: the decimal number with the larger whole number will be the greater of the two.

Second step:

Analyze the digits that come after the decimal point (only in the case where the whole numbers are equal)
We will move from digit to digit (starting with the tenths, then the hundredths, and so on)
If they continue to be equal, we will proceed with the comparison of the following digits.
If they are different, we will be able to determine which number is larger.

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

  1. What is a Decimal Number?
  2. Decimal Fractions
  3. Reducing and Expanding Decimal Numbers
  4. Converting a Decimal Fraction to a Mixed Number
  5. Converting a simple fraction to decimal - how to calculate?
  6. Addition and Subtraction of Decimal Numbers

Practice Comparing Decimal Fractions

Examples with solutions for Comparing Decimal Fractions

Exercise #1

Which decimal number is greater?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's convert the decimal numbers into simple fractions and compare them:

0.24 is divided by 100 because there are two digits after the decimal point, therefore:

0.24=24100 0.24=\frac{24}{100}

0.25 is divided by 100 because there are two digits after the decimal point, therefore:

0.25=25100 0.25=\frac{25}{100}

Let's now compare the numbers in the numerator:

\frac{25}{100}>\frac{24}{100}

Therefore, the larger number is 0.25.

Answer

0.25 0.25

Exercise #2

Are they the same numbers?

0.23=?0.32 0.23\stackrel{?}{=}0.32

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's observe the numbers after the decimal point.

Due to the fact that 23 and 32 are not identical, the numbers cannot be considered as the same number.

Answer

No

Exercise #3

Are they the same numbers?

0.1=?0.10 0.1\stackrel{?}{=}0.10

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.1 in the following way:

0.1=0.10 0.1=0.10

And we will discover that the numbers are indeed identical

Answer

Yes

Exercise #4

Are they the same numbers?

0.25=?0.250 0.25\stackrel{?}{=}0.250

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.25 in the following way:

0.25=0.250 0.25=0.250

And we will discover that the numbers are identical

Answer

Yes

Exercise #5

Are they the same numbers?

0.22=?0.2 0.22\stackrel{?}{=}0.2

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.2 in the following way:

0.2=0.20 0.2=0.20

And we will discover that the numbers are not identical

Answer

No

Exercise #6

Are they the same numbers?

0.5=?0.50 0.5\stackrel{?}{=}0.50

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.5 in the following way:

0.5=0.50 0.5=0.50

And we will discover that the numbers are identical

Answer

Yes

Exercise #7

Are they the same numbers?

0.05=?0.5 0.05\stackrel{?}{=}0.5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.5 in the following way:

0.5=0.50 0.5=0.50

And we will discover that the numbers are not identical

Answer

No

Exercise #8

Are they the same numbers?

0.6=?0.60 0.6\stackrel{?}{=}0.60

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.6 in the following way:

0.6=0.60 0.6=0.60

And we will discover that the numbers are identical

Answer

Yes

Exercise #9

Are they the same numbers?

0.8=?0.88 0.8\stackrel{?}{=}0.88

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.8 in the following way:

0.8=0.80 0.8=0.80

And we will discover that the numbers are not identical

Answer

No

Exercise #10

0.45=?0.445 0.45\stackrel{?}{=}0.445

Are the numbers above the same?

Step-by-Step Solution

Just as the number 45 is not equal to 445, nor is the number 0.45 equal to 0.445—even though their values are relatively close.

This can be seen more clearly in the form of a regular fraction:

45/100 is not equal to 445/1000

Answer

No

Exercise #11

Are they the same numbers?

0.02=?0.002 0.02\stackrel{?}{=}0.002

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.02 in the following way:

0.02=0.020 0.02=0.020

And we will discover that the numbers are not identical

Answer

No

Exercise #12

Choose the appropriate sign:

13?0.3 \frac{1}{3}?0.3

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's convert 0.3 to a simple fraction.

Since there is only one number after the decimal point, the number divides by 10 as follows:

0.3=310 0.3=\frac{3}{10}

Now we have two simple fractions with different denominators.

To compare them, note that the smallest common denominator between them is 30.

We'll multiply each one to reach the common denominator as follows:

13×1010=1030 \frac{1}{3}\times\frac{10}{10}=\frac{10}{30}

310×33=930 \frac{3}{10}\times\frac{3}{3}=\frac{9}{30}

Now we can compare the two fractions and see that:

\frac{10}{30}>\frac{9}{30}

Answer

>

Exercise #13

Choose the appropriate sign:

35 [?] 0.5 \frac{3}{5}~[?]~0.5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's convert 0.5 into a simple fraction.

Since there is only one digit after the decimal point, the number is divided by 10, therefore:

0.5=510 0.5=\frac{5}{10}

Now we have two simple fractions with different denominators.

Let's find the least common denominator between them, in this case the common denominator is 10.

We'll equate the denominators by multiplying by the appropriate numbers:

35×22=610 \frac{3}{5}\times\frac{2}{2}=\frac{6}{10}

510×11=510 \frac{5}{10}\times\frac{1}{1}=\frac{5}{10}

Now let's compare the numerators and we'll find that:

\frac{6}{10}>\frac{5}{10}

Answer

>

Exercise #14

Choose the appropriate sign:

48?0.5 \frac{4}{8}?0.5

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's convert 0.5 to a simple fraction.

Since there is only one digit after the decimal point, the number is divided by 10 as follows:

0.5=510 0.5=\frac{5}{10}

Now we have two simple fractions with different denominators.

To compare them, note that the smallest common denominator between them is 2.

We'll divide each one to reach the common denominator as follows:

48:44=12 \frac{4}{8}:\frac{4}{4}=\frac{1}{2}

510:55=12 \frac{5}{10}:\frac{5}{5}=\frac{1}{2}

Now we can compare the two fractions and see that:

12=12 \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}

Answer

= =

Exercise #15

Choose the appropriate sign:

58?0.6 \frac{5}{8}?0.6

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, let's convert 0.6 into a simple fraction.

Since there is only one digit after the decimal point, the number is divided by 10, therefore:

0.6=610 0.6=\frac{6}{10}

Now we have two simple fractions with different denominators.

Let's find the least common denominator between them, in this case the common denominator is 80.

We'll equate the denominators by multiplying by the appropriate numbers:

58×1010=5080 \frac{5}{8}\times\frac{10}{10}=\frac{50}{80}

610×88=4880 \frac{6}{10}\times\frac{8}{8}=\frac{48}{80}

Now let's compare the numerators and we'll find that:

\frac{50}{80} > \frac{48}{80}

Answer

>

Topics learned in later sections

  1. Converting Decimals to Fractions