Read by place value
3.472 means 3 ones, 4 tenths, 7 hundredths and 2 thousandths.
Each decimal place is ten times smaller than the one to its left.
Year 5
Read, write, order and compare numbers with up to three decimal places
Read, write, compare and order decimals with up to three decimal places.
Lesson overview
Number - decimals and percentages
Decimal places show parts of a whole. Tenths are bigger than hundredths, and hundredths are bigger than thousandths. When comparing decimals, start from the whole number part and move right one place at a time.
Compare decimals
4.205 is greater than 4.025 because the tenths are the same, but the hundredths are greater.
Compare one decimal place at a time.
Order a set
0.405, 0.45 and 0.504 can be ordered by thinking in thousandths.
Adding a trailing zero does not change the value.
Worked example
Which is greater: 2.308 or 2.38?
- The whole numbers are both 2.
- The tenths are both 3.
- Compare the hundredths next: 0 is less than 8.
- So 2.38 is greater.
Round 1: Learn it
Compare decimals by place value, not by the number of digits.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
Which decimal is greater?
Question 2
Which decimal is smallest?
Question 3
Which decimal has 7 hundredths?
Question 4
Which order is correct from least to greatest?
Question 5
Which decimal is the same as 0.450?
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Thinking more digits always means a bigger decimal.
- Ignoring a zero placeholder in the decimal places.
- Comparing decimals from the right instead of from the left.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Round decimals with two decimal places to the nearest whole number and to one decimal place.
- Recognise and use thousandths and relate them to tenths, hundredths and decimal equivalents.