|
|
 Which
is bigger? $25.00 or $2.50
That one is easy, but they are not always that simple.
Especially when you see numbers written without familiar
markings like dollar signs. Yet, comparing decimals
can be easy if you know how to say or write them.
|
| Example.
Compare 25.00 and 2.50
The first is, "twenty-five and zero
hundredths." The second number is, "two
and fifty hundredths." The period made it easy
because we are really comparing the whole numbers; 25 and
2.
|
Another
way to evaluate the two numbers to see which is greater is
to write them with one above the other, always
lining up the decimals.
|
2 5 . 0 0
2 . 5 0 |
Another
example. Compare 2.456 and 2.49
First, compare the top and bottom numbers from left to
right. The first two numbers are two--the same
value. The second two numbers are BOTH 4; also the
same. LOOK at the next set--5 and 9! 9 is
greater than 5. Note: It's OK to place a
zero at the end of the decimal to have the same amount of
digits.
|
 |
| Written:
2.456 < 2.49 |
Spoken:
Two and four hundred fifty-six thousandths is less than
two and forty-nine hundredths
|
Remember,
when you are comparing decimals start with tenths place
and then hundredths place, and so on. If one decimal
has a higher number in the place value then it is larger.
If the place value of both numbers is equal, then keep
comparing as you move to the left until one place value is
larger or there are no more places to compare. If each
decimal place value is the same then the decimals are
equal.
|
