Skill: Compare money amounts

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

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 $4.50 and$ 4.5 represent the same amount, so comparison is based on place value rather than the number of written digits; amounts beyond hundredths are not included.

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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 4.5 $and$ $4.05$.

Write both amounts to the hundredths place. A zero can be added at the end without changing the value:

\$4.5 = \$4.50

Line up the decimal points:

\begin{array}{r} \$4.50\\ \$4.05 \end{array}

The whole dollars are both $4$ , so compare the tenths. The first amount has $5$ tenths, and the second has $0$ tenths.
Since $5>0$ :

\boxed{\$4.50>\$4.05}

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

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Coin Math - Compare Coins to Amount, Above a Dollar - Dollar, Pennies, Quarters

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