This document provides instructions for comparing decimals to the thousandths place using a three step process: 1. Line up the decimal points of the two numbers being compared. 2. Add placeholder zeros if needed after the decimal point so both numbers have the same number of decimal places. 3. Compare the values of the numbers from left to right, using greater than, less than, or equal to signs to show the relationship between the decimals. Several examples are worked through to demonstrate applying the three step process. Readers are then prompted to practice comparing decimals on their own using the steps.

1. Compa!ng Decimals

2. Essential Standard
I can compare and order
decimals to the thousandths
place.

3. A Quick Review
A decimal is part of a whole.
A decimal represents a number
less than one.
hundredths
whole number
4.872 thousandths
tenths

4. A Quick Review
The following illustration proves that 0.4 and 0.40 are
equivalent! Remember adding place holder zeros after the
decimal point will not change the value of the number.
0.4 (four tenths) = 0.40 (forty hundredths)

5. A Quick Review
Do you remember what these signs mean?
> greater than
< less than
The sign “opens up” to or “eats” the larger number.

6. When comparing 2 decimals....
1. Line up the decimal points.
2. Add place holder zeros.
3. Work from left to right!

7. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
0.032 ____ 0.04

8. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
1. Line up the
<
0.032 ____ 0.04 decimal points.
2. Add place
0.032 holder zeros.
0.040
3. Work from left
to right!
4 is larger than 3, therefore
0.04 is larger than 0.032

9. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
4.7 ____ 4.07

10. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
1. Line up the
>
4.7 ____ 4.07 decimal points.
2. Add place
4.7 0 holder zeros.
4.07
3. Work from left
to right!
7 is larger than 0, therefore
4.7 is larger than 4.07

11. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
0.06 ____ 0.060

12. Practice Problemos!
< , > or =
1. Line up the
=
0.06 ____ 0.060 decimal points.
2. Add place
0.060 holder zeros.
0.060
3. Work from left
to right!
These numbers are
equivalent

13. Now you try!
Use the 3 steps to solve the
following problems on your slate.

14. 0.17 ____ 0.73

15. <

16. 0.19 ____ 0.3

17. <

18. Closure
• What are the three steps that help you
compare two decimals? Write these steps
on your slates.

19. 0.4 ____ 0.08

20. >

21. 0.05 ____ 0.50

22. =

23. 0.126 ____ 0.09

24. >