Compare nonnegative decimals through the thousandths place by interpreting each digit according to its place value and comparing corresponding places from greatest to least. Equivalent forms, such as 0.5 and 0.50, represent the same quantity, while the number of digits after the decimal point does not determine size; comparisons may be represented on a number line and support later work with fractions, measurement, and proportional reasoning.
To compare decimals, compare their digits from left to right, starting with the greatest place value:
You may add zeros at the end of a decimal without changing its value. For example, .
Example: Compare and .
First, write the decimals with the same number of decimal places:
Now compare the digits from left to right:
Since has fewer hundredths than , it is the smaller number.
The number of digits after the decimal point does not decide which number is greater. The place value of each digit does.
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