Compare Decimals

Grade 4 · decimals · 86 practice problems · read aloud

🔊 Listen to this explanation

🔍 Comparing Decimals

Comparing decimals means figuring out which number is greater, which is smaller, or if they are equal. We use this when comparing prices, measurements, or scores!

How to Compare Decimals: Step-by-Step

  1. Line up the decimal points. Write the numbers one under the other, making sure the decimal points are in a straight line.
  2. Add zeros if needed. Give both numbers the same number of digits after the decimal point by adding zeros to the end.
  3. Compare from left to right. Start with the largest place value (the tenths place) and move right until you find a difference.
  4. Use the correct symbol: > (greater than), < (less than), or = (equal to).

Visual Examples

Example 1: Compare 0.4 and 0.36

Step 1: Line them up → 0.4 and 0.36
Step 2: Add a zero → 0.40 and 0.36
Step 3: Compare tenths place: 4 tenths vs. 3 tenths.
Since 4 > 3, we know 0.40 > 0.36. ✅

Example 2: Compare 2.5 and 2.50

Step 1: Line them up → 2.5 and 2.50
Step 2: Add a zero → 2.50 and 2.50
Step 3: All digits are the same!
So, 2.5 = 2.50. ✅

🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Thinking more digits means a bigger number: 0.3 is actually greater than 0.27, even though 27 looks bigger than 3. Always compare place values!
  • Forgetting to line up decimals: If you don't line up the decimal points, you'll compare the wrong place values.
  • Ignoring the whole number part: Always check the number to the left of the decimal first! 5.1 is greater than 4.99.

💡 Tips & Tricks

  • The "Alligator" Method: The alligator's mouth always opens to eat the bigger number! 0.8 > 0.75
  • Zero Hero: Adding zeros to the end of a decimal doesn't change its value, but it makes comparing much easier.
  • Think Like Money: $0.60 is 60 cents, and $0.6 is also 60 cents. They are the same!

Practice Makes Perfect! ✏️

Try these activities to get better at comparing decimals:

  • Use index cards to make a matching game with decimals and their comparisons (e.g., match 0.7 with cards showing > 0.65 and = 0.70).
  • Ask a friend to write down two decimal numbers. Race to see who can correctly compare them first!
  • Look for decimals in grocery store ads and compare the prices of different items.

Practice problems

6 of the 86, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 0.75 > 0.7 ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits in each place value position from left to right.

Show the answer

Answer: A) true

  1. Write the numbers with the same number of decimal places for easier comparison. 0.75 can be written as 0.75 0.7 can be written as 0.70
  2. Compare the numbers digit by digit, starting from the left. Both numbers have the same units digit (0) and the same tenths digit (7).
  3. Compare the next digit (hundredths place). For 0.75, the hundredths digit is 5. For 0.70, the hundredths digit is 0.
  4. Determine which number is larger. Since 5 is greater than 0, the number 0.75 is greater than 0.70.
  5. State the conclusion. Therefore, the statement 0.75 > 0.7 is true.

2 0.45 > 0.39 ?

  1. A) true
  2. B) false

Hint: Compare the digits in each decimal place from left to right

Show the answer

Answer: A) true

  1. Compare the tenths place: 0.45 has 4 tenths, 0.39 has 3 tenths
  2. Since 4 > 3, 0.45 is greater than 0.39
  3. Therefore, the statement 0.45 > 0.39 is true

The answer is true.

3 0.75 > 0.7 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits in each decimal place, starting from the left. Remember that a zero at the end of a decimal doesn't change its value.

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Understand the problem. We are comparing two decimal numbers: 0.75 and 0.7. The symbol ">" means "greater than". So the statement is: 0.75 > 0.7.
  2. Compare the numbers digit by digit from left to right. Both numbers start with "0." so we compare the tenths place first. 0.75 has a 7 in the tenths place. 0.7 is the same as 0.70, which also has a 7 in the tenths place. Since the tenths digits are equal, we move to the next digit.
  3. Compare the hundredths place. 0.75 has a 5 in the hundredths place. 0.7 (or 0.70) has a 0 in the hundredths place. 5 is greater than 0.
  4. Conclusion. Since 0.75 has a greater hundredths digit than 0.70, 0.75 is greater than 0.7. Therefore, the statement "0.75 > 0.7" is true. Final answer: true

4 0.45 > 0.39 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits in each decimal place starting from the left.

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Compare the tenths place: 0.45 has 4 tenths, 0.39 has 3 tenths.
  2. Since 4 is greater than 3, 0.45 is greater than 0.39.
  3. Therefore, the statement 0.45 > 0.39 is true.

The answer is true.

5 0.67 > 0.59 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits in each decimal place from left to right

Show the answer

Answer: B) true

  1. Compare the tenths place: 0.67 has 6 tenths, 0.59 has 5 tenths
  2. Since 6 > 5, 0.67 is greater than 0.59
  3. The statement '0.67 > 0.59' is true

The answer is true.

6 0.68 > 0.72 = ?

  1. A) false
  2. B) true

Hint: Compare the digits in each decimal place from left to right to determine which number is greater.

Show the answer

Answer: A) false

  1. Compare the tenths place digits: 0.68 has 6 in the tenths place, 0.72 has 7 in the tenths place
  2. Since 6 is less than 7, 0.68 is less than 0.72
  3. The statement 0.68 > 0.72 is false because 0.68 is actually less than 0.72

The answer is false.

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