Decimals on a Number Line, Compare and Order Decimals
VocabularyA decimal is what we use to show part of a whole.
The first place to the right of the decimal point is called the tenths place. If you take a whole and divide it into ten parts, a tenth is one of those parts. The second place to the right of the decimal point is called the hundredths place. If you take a whole and divide it into 100 parts, a hundredth is one of those parts. NotesThink of a regular number line labeled with whole numbers. Now pretend that you can "zoom" in and look closely between two of the whole numbers. Between those two whole numbers you'd see the number line divided into ten small sections. These sections are called tenths. Next, pretend that you can "zoom" in an look closely between two of the tenths. Between those two tenths you'd see that the number line is divided into ten even smaller sections. Each of these smaller sections are called hundredths. They're called hundredths because there are 100 of these very small sections between the whole numbers on the number line.
To compare decimals or order decimal numbers from least to greatest or greatest to least you follow the same rules as comparing and ordering whole numbers: 1. Line up the numbers in a place value chart. 2. Compare the digits in each place value starting at the greatest place. 3. Order the numbers. |