Two prices, two scores, two race times… which one is bigger? Today you'll learn a simple, never-fail way to compare any two decimals.
Tap Next to begin. →
A decimal point splits a number into a whole part and a part smaller than one. After the dot come tenths, then hundredths.
| Ones | Tenths | Hundredths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | • | 2 | 5 |
3.25 = 3 ones, 2 tenths, 5 hundredths
Always look at the numbers in front of the dot first. Bigger whole part = bigger decimal. The other digits don't even matter yet!
Which number is bigger? Tap it.
When the whole parts are equal, move one step right to the tenths. Let's compare 0.7 and 0.65 — the puzzle from the start!
| Ones | Tenths | Hundredths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | • | 7 | 0 |
| 0 | • | 6 | 5 |
Wholes tie (0 = 0). Now compare the tenths:
Pick the correct sign for 0.7 ⬚ 0.65
With whole numbers, more digits means bigger. With decimals, that's not true. 0.65 has more digits than 0.7, but 0.7 is bigger!
A neat trick: add a zero so both have the same length.
| Ones | Tenths | Hundredths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | • | 7 | 0 |
| 0 | • | 6 | 5 |
0.7 is really 0.70. And 70 hundredths > 65 hundredths. ✅
Now you try! Which is bigger?
Tap each step to reveal it. Compare 3.45 and 3.5 as you go:
Use the recipe. Pick the right sign for 1.08 ⬚ 1.5
| Ones | Tenths | Hundredths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | • | 0 | 8 |
| 1 | • | 5 | 0 |
Wholes tie (1 = 1). Look at the tenths: 0 vs 5.