Decimal Comparison
 

 

Comparison Symbols 

<  is less than       

>  is greater than

=  equals            

 

Using a comparison symbol:

 

When comparing decimals, pad the decimal portion of the numbers so that both numbers have the same number of decimal digits.

After 'padding,' ignore the decimal point and compare the numbers as if they were whole numbers.

When writing the symbol, always point to the smaller number, wherever it is ....

When reading the symbol, always say whether the first number is greater or less than the second.    

The following are examples of preparing to compare decimal numbers.

Preparing to compare
7.4   and  7.33  change to 7.40 and 7.33
6.87 and  9.4 change to  6.87 and  9.40
0.34  and  0.4 change to 0.34 and 0.40
0.61 and  0.615 change to 0.610 and 0.615

The following are examples of the decimal number comparison:

Writing a comparison:  

Reading the written comparison:

 

0.7 > 0.5

(because 7 > 5)

 

0.7 is greater than 0.5

6.8 > 0.9

(because 68 > 9)

 

6.8 is greater than 0.9

3.4 < 5.0

(because 34 < 50)

 

3.4 is less than 5.0

.12 < 6.00

(because 12 < 600)

 

.12 is less than 6.00

Check Your Understanding

If you were to compare the following pairs of numbers, which number of the pair would you "pad" with zeros....

  1. 2.04 or 2.4      

    2.  

  2. 32.5 or 3.25    

    3.  

  3. 0.24 or .5        

 

Check Your Understanding

  1. Enter two numbers between 0 and 999.9999.
  2. Think of how you believe the comparison should be read.
  3. Click the button "Check" and check your answer.
Number 1: Number 2:
Text: