Compare Decimals to Thousandths

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5th Grade Math › Compare Decimals to Thousandths

Questions 1 - 10
1

A runner’s time for one lap was $3.407$ minutes and another runner’s time was $3.476$ minutes. Line up the decimals so the ones, tenths, hundredths, and thousandths are in the same columns, and compare place by place. Which comparison symbol makes the statement true?

$3.407\ _\ _\ _\ 3.476$

$3.407 = 3.476$

$3.407 > 3.47$

$3.407 > 3.476$

$3.407 < 3.476$

Explanation

When comparing decimals, we examine each place value position from left to right, starting with the greatest place value. To compare 3.407 and 3.476, we begin with the ones place (both have 3), then move to the tenths place (both have 4). At the hundredths place, we find 0 in 3.407 and 7 in 3.476, and since 0 < 7, we know 3.407 < 3.476. This is like comparing lap times—the runner with 3.407 minutes finished faster than the one with 3.476 minutes. A common mistake is thinking more digits means a larger number, but place value position matters more than the number of digits. The systematic left-to-right comparison ensures we always identify which decimal is greater, regardless of how many decimal places each number has.

2

A student measured two plant heights: $2.347$ m and $2.374$ m. Line up the decimals by place value (ones, tenths, hundredths, thousandths) and compare place by place. Which comparison symbol makes the statement true?

$2.347\ \square\ 2.374$

$>$

$=$

Cannot be determined without rounding

$<$

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values. Begin the comparison from the leftmost place, which is the greatest place value, such as the ones place. Compare the digits in each place value position moving from left to right until you find a difference. For example, when comparing 2.347 and 2.374, the ones and tenths places are the same, but in the hundredths place, 4 is less than 7, so 2.347 < 2.374. A common misconception is to ignore the decimal point and compare the digits as whole numbers, like thinking 347 > 374, but this reverses the actual order. Using place value ensures that each digit's position determines its true weight in the number. This approach guarantees accurate comparisons even when decimals have different numbers of places.

3

Two prices are $\$1.205$ and $\$1.25$. Align the decimals so $1.25 = 1.250$ and compare place by place. Which decimal is greater?

They are equal because both have 1 in the ones place.

$\$1.25$ is greater.

$\$1.205$ is greater.

$\$1.205$ is greater because 205 is greater than 25.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values, from the leftmost digit to the right. We start from the greatest place value, which is the largest unit like ones or tens, and work our way to smaller places like tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. We compare the digits in each corresponding place value one by one until we find a difference. For example, when comparing 1.205 and 1.250 (rewriting 1.25 as 1.250), the ones digits are both 1, the tenths are both 2, but in the hundredths place, 0 is less than 5, so 1.205 is less than 1.250. A common misconception is thinking a number with more digits like 205 is larger than 25, but place values must be aligned first. By aligning decimals and comparing place by place, we ensure an accurate understanding of their relative values. This method works because place values represent powers of ten, making the comparison systematic and reliable.

4

Two water bottle labels show $1.205$ liters and $1.25$ liters. Align the place values by writing $1.25$ as $1.250$, then compare place by place. Which comparison symbol makes the statement true?

$1.205\ _\ _\ _\ 1.25$

$1.205 < 1.25$

$1.205 = 1.25$

$1.205 > 1.25$

$1.205 > 1.250$ because it has more digits after the decimal.

Explanation

Comparing decimals requires examining each place value from left to right, starting with the ones place. To compare 1.205 and 1.25, we align by writing 1.25 as 1.250, then compare: ones are both 1, tenths are both 2, but at the hundredths place we find 0 < 5, so 1.205 < 1.250. This shows that the bottle containing 1.25 liters holds more water than the one with 1.205 liters. A common error is thinking more decimal digits means a larger number, but the value of each digit in its position matters more. The systematic comparison method ensures we correctly order decimal quantities in real-world contexts. Place value alignment and left-to-right comparison work for all decimals, regardless of how many decimal places they contain.

5

A scale shows two masses: $0.631$ kg and $0.613$ kg. Be sure the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths are aligned, then compare the decimals place by place. Which decimal is greater?

$0.631$ is greater because the tenths are equal, then the hundredths are different ($3>1$).

$0.613$ is greater because it has the smaller thousandths digit.

$0.613$ is greater because 613 is greater than 631 when you ignore the decimal point.

They are equal because both have 3 digits after the decimal.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values. Start the comparison from the leftmost place, which is the greatest place value. Compare the digits in each place value position moving from left to right until you find a difference. For example, in comparing 0.631 and 0.613, the tenths are equal (6=6), but the hundredths differ (3>1), so 0.631 > 0.613. A common misconception is to ignore the decimal and compare whole numbers like 631 and 613, but place values must include the decimal positions. Using place value ensures that smaller units like hundredths and thousandths are properly considered in the order of significance. This method provides a consistent way to determine which decimal is greater, regardless of the number of digits.

6

Compare the decimals $0.708$ and $0.78$. To compare, line them up as $0.708$ and $0.780$ and go place by place. Which comparison symbol makes the statement true?

$0.708\ \square\ 0.780$

$0.708 < 0.780$

$0.708 > 0.78$ because it has more digits.

$0.708 > 0.780$

$0.708 = 0.780$

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values, from the leftmost digit to the right. We start from the greatest place value, which is the largest unit like ones or tens, and work our way to smaller places like tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. We compare the digits in each corresponding place value one by one until we find a difference. For example, when comparing 0.708 and 0.780, the tenths digits are both 7, but in the hundredths place, 0 is less than 8, so 0.708 is less than 0.780. A common misconception is believing more digits make a number larger, but we must add zeros to align places for fair comparison. By aligning decimals and comparing place by place, we ensure an accurate understanding of their relative values. This method works because place values represent powers of ten, making the comparison systematic and reliable.

7

In a class experiment, the plant grew $2.305$ cm in one week and $2.35$ cm in another week. Align place values (write $2.35$ as $2.350$) and compare place by place. Which decimal is greater?

$2.305$ is greater because it has more digits after the decimal.

$2.35$ is greater because at the tenths place $3=3$, and at the hundredths place $5>0$.

$2.305$ is greater because the thousandths digit (5) is greater than 0.

They are equal because both start with $2.3$.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values. Start the comparison from the leftmost place, which is the greatest place value. Compare the digits in each place value position moving from left to right until you find a difference. For example, 2.305 and 2.350 match in ones and tenths but differ in hundredths (0<5), making 2.305 < 2.350, so 2.35 is greater. A common misconception is that a non-zero thousandths digit always makes a number larger, but it only matters if higher places are equal. Using place value ensures that larger units like hundredths take precedence over smaller ones. This method offers a reliable way to compare decimals, ensuring correctness through positional hierarchy.

8

A science class recorded two temperatures: $19.054^\circ\text{C}$ and $19.045^\circ\text{C}$. Compare the decimals place by place (ones, tenths, hundredths, thousandths). Which decimal is greater?

$19.045^\circ\text{C}$ is greater because 45 is greater than 54.

$19.045^\circ\text{C}$ is greater.

$19.054^\circ\text{C}$ is greater.

They are equal because both have 19 ones.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values, from the leftmost digit to the right. We start from the greatest place value, which is the largest unit like ones or tens, and work our way to smaller places like tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. We compare the digits in each corresponding place value one by one until we find a difference. For example, when comparing 19.054 and 19.045, the tens digits are both 1, the ones are both 9, the tenths are both 0, but in the hundredths place, 5 is greater than 4, so 19.054 is greater than 19.045. A common misconception is assuming equality if the ones places match, but decimal places can differ. By aligning decimals and comparing place by place, we ensure an accurate understanding of their relative values. This method works because place values represent powers of ten, making the comparison systematic and reliable.

9

A science class recorded two temperatures: $19.054^\circ\text{C}$ and $19.045^\circ\text{C}$. Compare the decimals place by place (ones, tenths, hundredths, thousandths). Which decimal is greater?​

$19.045^\circ\text{C}$ is greater.

$19.045^\circ\text{C}$ is greater because 45 is greater than 54.

$19.054^\circ\text{C}$ is greater.

They are equal because both have 19 ones.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values, from the leftmost digit to the right. We start from the greatest place value, which is the largest unit like ones or tens, and work our way to smaller places like tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. We compare the digits in each corresponding place value one by one until we find a difference. For example, when comparing 19.054 and 19.045, the tens digits are both 1, the ones are both 9, the tenths are both 0, but in the hundredths place, 5 is greater than 4, so 19.054 is greater than 19.045. A common misconception is assuming equality if the ones places match, but decimal places can differ. By aligning decimals and comparing place by place, we ensure an accurate understanding of their relative values. This method works because place values represent powers of ten, making the comparison systematic and reliable.

10

In a race, Maya ran $1.206$ km and Jordan ran $1.26$ km. Compare the decimals by aligning place values (write $1.26$ as $1.260$) and comparing digits place by place. Which decimal is greater?

$1.206$ is greater because tenths are larger than ones.

$1.26$ is greater because $1.260 > 1.206$ when compared place by place.

$1.26$ is greater because it has fewer digits after the decimal.

$1.206$ is greater because 206 is greater than 26.

Explanation

Decimals are compared by examining their place values. Begin the comparison from the leftmost place, which is the greatest place value, such as the ones place. Compare the digits in each place value position moving from left to right until you find a difference. For example, when comparing 1.206 and 1.26 (written as 1.260), the ones and tenths places are the same, but in the hundredths place, 0 is less than 6, so 1.206 < 1.260. A common misconception is that more digits after the decimal make a number larger, but actually, the value depends on the place values, not the count of digits. Using place value ensures that equivalent forms like 1.26 and 1.260 are recognized as the same. This method provides a reliable way to determine which decimal is greater regardless of how it's written.

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