Decimals

Like fractions, decimals represent numbers that are not whole numbers. We show the value by using a decimal point. As we move right from the decimal point,each place value is divided by 10.


Understanding place values


decimal

As we move left from the decimal point, every number place gets 10 times bigger.

decimal

As we move right from the decimal point, every number place gets 10 times smaller.


How to read decimal numbers


decimal

We say,


Two and six tenths or two point six

decimal

We say,


Eighty two hundred and ninety four hundredths or eighty two hundred point nine two


Comparing decimal numbers


Decimals are compared the same way as other numbers. We do this by comparing the different place values from left to right.


Situation 1

When numbers to the left of the decimal points are different.


Example
decimal

What to do:

Compare the numbers to the left of decimal points.


So, in this case, 15.23 is bigger than 12.82 since 15 is bigger than 12.


Situation 2

When numbers to the left of the decimal points are the same.


Example
decimal

What to do:

Compare the numbers to the right of decimal points.


So, in this case, 18.16 is smaller than 18.24 since 16 is smaller than 24.


Situation 3

When the decimal places to the right of the decimal points are different.


Example
decimal

What to do:

Just add zero to the decimal number with lesser digits, and compare.


So, in this case, 18.16 is smaller than 18.24 since 16 is smaller than 24.


decimal

So, in this case, 17.250 is bigger than 17.154 since 250 is bigger than 154.






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