How it works
Line up the places, then compare. Start with the tenths.
0.5 is 5 tenths and 0.1 is 1 tenth, so 0.5 is greater.
Different wholes? Then you can't tell.
Worked examples
Tenths decide
- Compare 0.5 and 0.1: greater, less or equal?
- 0.5 has 5 tenths. 0.1 has 1 tenth.
- 5 tenths is more than 1 tenth.
- So the answer is > Greater than.
Hundredths
- Compare 0.78 and 0.87: greater, less, equal or can't tell?
- The tenths: 7 and 8. 8 is more.
- So 0.78 is less than 0.87.
- So the answer is < Less than.
Different wholes
- Compare 0.2 and 0.1: greater, less, equal or can't tell?
- The two wholes are different sizes.
- You can't tell which is bigger.
- So the answer is Can't tell.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- Compare 0.8 and 0.1: greater, less or equal__
- Compare 0.7 and 0.2: greater, less or equal__
- Compare 0.8 and 0.3: greater, less or equal__
- Compare 0.2 and 0.6: greater, less or equal__