Symbols for Comparing Decimals
When we compare numbers, we use symbols to tell which number is larger and which is smaller.
Goal:
Goal:
The symbols in the chart below are the symbols we use in our comparisons. The ‘big” end of the symbol opens toward the bigger number. The small end points to the smaller number.
Example 3: Which is greater, 5.674 or 5.672?
Step 1: Look at the place value farthest to the left. In both numbers the ones place is farthest left, and in both numbers there is a 5.
Step 2: Move to the tenths place: both numbers have a 6.
Step 3: Move to the hundredths place: both numbers have a 7.
Step 4: Move to the thousandths place: 5.674 has a 4 and 5.672 has a 2; 4 is greater than 2, so 5.674 > 5.672
Example 4: Which is greater, 14.2 or 14.172?
Step 1: Look at the place value farthest to the left. In both numbers the tens place is farthest left, and in both numbers there is a 1.
Step 2: Move to the ones place: both numbers have a 4.
Step 3: Move to the tenths place: 14.2 has a 2 and 14.172 has a 1; 2 is greater than 1, so 14.2 > 14.172
Remember that you can add zeros to the number that has fewer digits, if that makes it easier to compare.
