Comparison of Decimal Fractions

We will discuss here about the comparison of decimal fractions.

While comparing natural numbers we first compare total number of digits in both the numbers and if they are equal then we compare the digit at the extreme left. If they also equal then we compare the next digit and so on. We follow the same pattern while comparing the decimals.

✍️ We know that a decimal number has whole part and a decimal part. The decimal number with the greater whole part is greater.

For example, 5.4 is greater than 3.98.

✍️ If the whole parts are equal, first convert the given decimals into like decimals and then compare. We compare the digits in the tenths place. The decimal number with the greater digit in the tenths place is greater.

For example, 9.85 is greater than 9.65.

✍️ If the digits in the tenths place are equal, compare the digits in the hundredths place. The decimal number with the greater digit in the hundredths place is greater.

For example, 0.58 > 0.55.

✍️If the digits in the tenths and the hundredths place are same, the decimal number with the greater digit in the thousandths place is greater.

For example, 51.268 > 51.265

Examples on Comparing Decimals:

1. Compare 0.6 and 0.8.

Solution:

0.6 = 6 tenths

0.8 = 8 tenths

Because 8 tenths > 6 tenths

Thus, 0.8 > 0.6

2. Compare 0.317 and 0.341

Solution:

0.317     = 0.3 + 0.01 + 0.007

             = 3 tenths + 1 hundredths + 7 thousandths

0.341     = 0.3 + 0.04 + 0.001

             = 3 tenths +4 hundredths + 1 thousandths

Because 3 tenths = 3 tenths,

Now, compare next digit

       1 hundredths < 4 hundredths

Thus, 0.317 < 0.341

Steps of Comparison of Decimal Fractions are given below:

Step I: First we need to observe the integral part.

For example:

(i) 104 < 140, this is how we check the integral part

(ii) 153 = 153

(iii) 112 > 121


Step II: When the integral part is same then compare the tenths place

For example:

(i) 1.4 < 1.9,

(ii) 1.5 = 1.50

(iii) 16.2 > 16.1


Step III: When the tenth place is same compare the hundredths place.

For example:

(i) 10.04 < 10.09,

(ii) 1.97 = 1.97

(iii) 71.92 > 71.90

In this way we first check the integral part and then move to the decimal places one by one.

For example:

1. Which is greater, 12.0193 or 102.01?

Solution:

First check the integer part

12 and 102

12 is < 102 

102.01 is greater.



2. Which is smaller, 19.023 or 19.027?

Solution:

For each of these decimals the integral part is the same. So compare the tenths place. This is also same, check the hundredths places that is also same then move to the next decimal place.

Therefore, 19.023 < 19.027

So, 19.023 is smaller.

3. Find the greater number; 162.19 or 126.91.

Solution:

162.19 is greater than 126.91.

4. Which number is greater 293.82 or 293.62?

Solution:

First check the integer part,

293 = 293

Then the tenth place

8 > 6

Now the hundredth place

2 = 2

Therefore, 293.82 is greater than 293.62.

5. Find the greater number; 1432.97 or 1432.99

Solution:

First check the integer part,

1432 = 1432

Then the tenth place

9 = 9

Now the hundredth place

7 < 9

Therefore, 1432.99 is greater than 1432.97

6. Which number is greater 187.653 or 187.651?

Solution:

First check the integer part,

187 = 187

Then the tenth place

6 = 6

Then the hundredth place

5 = 5

Now the thousandth place

3 > 1

Therefore, 187.653 is greater than 187.651

7. Which number is greater 153.017 or 153.017?

Solution:

First check the integer part,

153 = 153

Then the tenth place

0 = 0

Then the hundredth place

1 = 1

Now the thousandth place

7 = 7

Therefore, 153.017 = 153.017

8. Find the greater number; 1324.42 or 1324.44

Solution:

First check the integer part,

1324 = 1324

Then the tenth place

4 = 4

Now the hundredth place

2 < 4

Therefore, 1324.44 is greater than 1324.42

9. Which number is greater 804.07 or 804.007?

Solution:

First check the integer part,

804 = 804

Then the tenth place

0 = 0

Then the hundredth place

7 > 0

Therefore, 804.07 is greater than 804.007

10. Find the greater number; 211.21 or 211.21

Solution:

First check the integer part,

211 = 211

Then the tenth place

2 = 2

Now the hundredth place

1 = 1

Therefore, 211.21 = 211.21


11. Write in ascending order using < sign:

(a) 43.81, 43.18, 43.08, 43.80

Solution:

43.08 < 43.18 < 43.80 < 43.81


(b) 89.09, 89.90, 89.01, 89.03

Solution:

89.01 < 89.03 < 89.09 < 89.90


(c) 53.35, 53.53, 53.30, 53.05

Solution:

53.05 < 53.30 < 53.35 < 53.53


(d) 61.16, 61.61, 61.06, 61.36

Solution:

61.06 < 61.16 < 61.36 < 61.61

12. Arrange the following decimal numbers in ascending order.

9.02; 2.56; 2.66; 8.02

Solution:

The greatest integral part is 9. So, 9.02 is the greatest number in the above set. 2.56 and 2.66 have equal integral parts, we compare the digits in the tenths place 5 > 6. So, 2.66 > 2.56.

The decimal numbers in ascending order are 2.56; 2.66; 8.02; 9.02

13. Compare and put the appropriate sign:

(i) 13.6 ______ 1.36

(ii) 65.010 ______ 65.110

(iii) 209.008 ______ 210.007

(iv) 47.981 ______ 29.999

Solution:

(i) >

(ii) <

(iii) <

(iv) >

Working Rules for Comparison of Decimals:

Step I: Compare the whole parts of the given numbers. The number with greater whole part will be greater. If the whole parts are equal, go to next step.

Step II: Compare the extreme left digits of the decimal parts of two numbers. The number with greater extreme left digit will be greater. If the extreme left digits of decimal parts are equal, then compare the next digits and so on.

Solved Examples:

1. Which decimal is greater 78.40 or 78.216?

Solution:

Converting the given decimals into like decimals

78.40 = 78.400

78.216 = 78.216

Therefore, 78.400 > 78.216

Thus, 78.40 > 78.216

2. Which is greater 35.40 or 35.209?

Solution:

Given decimals are 35.40 and 35.209.

Converting of the given decimals into like decimals, we have

35.40 = 35.400

35.209 = 35.209

Therefore, 35.400 > 35.209

Thus, 35.40 > 35.209

● Decimal.

Decimal Place Value Chart.

Expanded form of Decimal Fractions.

Like Decimal Fractions.

Unlike Decimal Fraction.

Equivalent Decimal Fractions.

Changing Unlike to Like Decimal Fractions.

Ordering Decimals

Comparison of Decimal Fractions.

Conversion of a Decimal Fraction into a Fractional Number.

Conversion of Fractions to Decimals Numbers.

Addition of Decimal Fractions.

Problems on Addition of Decimal Fractions

Subtraction of Decimal Fractions.

Problems on Subtraction of Decimal Fractions

Multiplication of a Decimal Numbers.

Multiplication of a Decimal by a Decimal.

Properties of Multiplication of Decimal Numbers.

Problems on Multiplication of Decimal Fractions

Division of a Decimal by a Whole Number.

Division of Decimal Fractions

Division of Decimal Fractions by Multiples.

Division of a Decimal by a Decimal.

Division of a whole number by a Decimal.

Properties of Division of Decimal Numbers

Problems on Division of Decimal Fractions

Conversion of fraction to Decimal Fraction.

Simplification in Decimals.

Word Problems on Decimal.

5th Grade Numbers Page

5th Grade Math Problems

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