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Compare money amounts

Money amounts are compared by interpreting dollars and cents as decimals to the hundredths place: compare whole dollars first, then tenths and hundredths after aligning decimal points, using symbols such as <, >, and =. Equivalent forms such as 4.50and4.50 and4.5 represent the same amount, so comparison is based on place value rather than the number of written digits; amounts beyond hundredths are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Compare money amounts

To compare money amounts, line up the decimal points. Compare the dollars first. If the dollars are the same, compare the tenths, then the hundredths.

Example: Compare 4.5andand$4.05$.

  1. Write both amounts to the hundredths place. A zero can be added at the end without changing the value:
$4.5=$4.50 \$4.5 = \$4.50
  1. Line up the decimal points:
$4.50$4.05 \begin{array}{r} \$4.50\\ \$4.05 \end{array}

  1. The whole dollars are both 44, so compare the tenths. The first amount has 55 tenths, and the second has 00 tenths.

  2. Since 5>05>0:

$4.50>$4.05 \boxed{\$4.50>\$4.05}

Remember, 4.50andand$4.5$ are equal because the extra zero does not change the amount.

Learn by doing: Compare money amounts

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