Page 303 - Basic College Mathematics with Early Integers

280 C HAPTE R 4 I DECIMALS

Comparing Two Positive Decimals
Compare digits in the same places from left to right. When two digits are not
equal, the number with the larger digit is the larger decimal. If necessary, insert
0s after the last digit to the right of the decimal point to continue comparing.
Compare hundredths place digits
28.253 28.263

c c
5 6 6
so 28.253 6 28.263

For any decimal, writing 0s after the last digit to the right of the decimal point
does not change the value of the number.
7.6 = 7.60 = 7.600, and so on

When a whole number is written as a decimal, the decimal point is placed to the
right of the ones digit.
25 = 25.0 = 25.00, and so on

PRACTICE 12 Example 12 Insert 6, 7, or = to form a true statement.
Insert 6, 7, or = to form a
true statement. 0.378 0.368
13.208 13.28 Solution:
0. 3 78 0. 3 68 The tenths places are the same.

0.3 7 8 0.3 6 8 The hundredths places are different.
Since 7 7 6, then 0.378 7 0.368.
Work Practice 12

PRACTICE 13 Example 13 Insert 6, 7, or = to form a true statement.
Insert 6, 7, or = to form a
true statement. 0.052 0.236
0.12 0.086 Solution: 0. 0 52 0. 2 36 0 is smaller than 2 in the tenths place.
c c
Work Practice 13

We can also use a number line to compare decimals. This is especially helpful
when comparing negative decimals. Remember, the number whose graph is to the
left is smaller, and the number whose graph is to the right is larger.

1.7 1.2 0.5 0.8 Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

2 1 0 1 2
1.7 1.2 0.5 0.8
Answers
12. 6 13. 7