Comparison of decimals Math Quiz Online
Learn to compare decimal numbers
Comparing decimals is similar to comparing whole numbers, but with an extra step. Decimals are numbers that have a decimal point, which separates the whole number part from the part that represents parts of a whole. To compare decimals, we need to look at the digits one place at a time, starting with the ones place.
Here’s an example: let’s compare the decimals 0.7 and 0.75. We can start by looking at the ones place. In 0.7, the ones place digit is 7 and in 0.75, the ones place digit is also 7. Since the ones place digits are the same, we move on to the tenths place. In 0.7, the tenths place digit is 0 and in 0.75, the tenths place digit is 5. Since 5 is greater than 0, we know that 0.75 is greater than 0.7.
Another example: let’s compare the decimals 2.5 and 2.15. To compare 2.5 and 2.15, we look at the whole number first, in this case both are 2 so we look at the digits after the decimal point. 2.5 has 5 and 2.15 has 15. Here 15 > 5, so we know that 2.15 is less than 2.5
When comparing decimals, we can also use the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols. For example, 0.75 is greater than 0.7 because 75 is greater than 70. Or we can say 0.75 > 0.7. Similarly, 2.15 is less than 2.5 because 15 is less than 50. or 2.15 < 2.5
It is also important to understand that the number of digits after the decimal point does not affect the value of the number. For example, 0.7 and 0.70 are the same value. This is because 0.70 is just 0.7 with an extra 0 at the end.
Another important thing to understand is that decimal numbers can be rounded off to a certain number of decimal places. For example, if we want to round 0.7 to the nearest tenth, we would get 0.7. And if we want to round 0.75 to the nearest tenth, we would get 0.8. So even though 0.75 is greater than 0.7, when we round to the nearest tenth, they both become 0.8.
In summary to compare decimals, start by comparing the digits on the left side of the decimal point. If they are the same, compare the digits on the right side of the decimal point, one place at a time, starting with the first digit. The decimal with the greater digit is greater than the other decimal. And you can use > and < symbol for comparison. It’s also important to understand that the number of digits after the decimal point does not affect the value of the number, and decimal numbers can be rounded off to a certain number of decimal places.