Line up the decimal points and compare from the left: wholes, then tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths. The first place where the digits differ decides which is greater.
Adding zeros at the end does not change a decimal's value, so 0.5 = 0.50 = 0.500. This makes comparing easier: 0.5 and 0.487 become 0.500 and 0.487, and 500 thousandths is more than 487 thousandths. Do not be fooled by length: 0.487 has more digits but is smaller.
Worked example
Order from smallest to largest: 0.62, 0.6, 0.625
- Write with three places: 0.620, 0.600, 0.625.
- Compare: 600 < 620 < 625.
Answer:0.6, 0.62, 0.625
Key words
- order
- arrange by size
- ascending
- smallest to largest
- equivalent decimals
- decimals with the same value, like 0.5 and 0.50
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 5.NBT.A.3b