Compare and Order Decimals Less Than

One

Mrs. YoungEMC 1

Which number is greater?

Compare 0.3 and 0.25

Rule for comparing: Always start and the left and move right – compare values of digits as you move.

Compare 0.3 and 0.25

• Step 1: Start at the number on the left – in this case 0 – Both digits are equal

• Step 2: Move to the next place value (tenths)– The digits are different

• 3 > 5

• Therefore, 0.3 > 0.25

Compare 0.217 and 0.271

• Step 1: Start at the place value on the left – in this case it’s 0– Both digits are equal

• Step 2: Move to the next place value – both digits are 2 (equal)

• Step 3: Move to the next place value – the digits are different– 7 > 1

• Therefore, 0.271 > 0.217

You try it!

Compare the decimals. Write >, <, or =

1) 0.345 0.3542) 47.58 45.783) 13.344 13.4334) 583.583 583.5835) 565.659 565.656

Order Decimals

• Ordering decimals follows the same rules as ordering whole numbers

• Line up the digits and the decimal point and compare the numbers

Example

• Order 0.91 0.9 0.87• Line up the decimals

0.910.900.87

• Uh-oh! I have an open place value!• No problem! Just put a 0 there to fill its

place --- it DOES NOT change the value of the decimal.

Example 1 continued…

• Compare the numbers

0.910.900.87

0.87 is the least, then 0.90, and 0.91 is the greatest

Example 2

• Order 0.057 0.781 0.08• Line up the decimals

0.0570.7810.080

• Uh-oh! I have an open place value!• No problem! Just put a 0 there to fill its

place --- it DOES NOT change the value of the decimal.

Example 2 continued…

• Compare the numbers

0.057 0.781 0.080

0.057 is the least, then 0.080, and 0.781 is the greatest

You try it!

Order each set from least to greatest

1) 0.547 0.541 0.52) 0.81 0.589 0.8173) 0.41 0.83 0.58