Idea 12of 23Builds onA zero at the end changes nothing
More digits is not more
Is a decimal with more digits always the bigger one?
Today you'll discover
- how to compare 0.4 and 0.35
- why writing both to hundredths helps
- which place to look at first
Think first0.4 and 0.35
Which is greater: 0.4 or 0.35?
Decide first, then press Next. Line up the points before you compare.
A place-value chart with two rows, 0.4 and 0.35. A zero appears after the 4, making 0.40. Then the tenths column is shaded: 4 > 3. Then the line 0.35 < 0.4. The last step compares 2.6 and 2.58.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
To compare decimals, line up the points and compare place by place from the left.
Fewer digits, more amount
0.4 is 40 hundredths. 0.35 is 35 hundredths. The shorter number is the bigger one.
Easy to get wrongDon't compare the digits after the point as whole numbers. 35 is more than 4, but 35 hundredths is less than 4 tenths.
Key word
- greater than
- more; written >, as in 0.4 > 0.35 (and less than is <)
Ready to use it?
- Say which of two decimals is greater.
- Use < and > between decimals.