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Decimals and Decimal Place Value
Each place to the right of the decimal point is ten times smaller: tenths, hundredths, then thousandths.
How it works
Decimals extend the whole-number place-value system. Trailing zeros do not change a decimal's value, so 0.5 and 0.50 are equal; compare decimals by aligning places, not by counting digits.
Worked example
Which is greater: 0.5 or 0.45?
- Write 0.5 as 0.50.
- Compare hundredths: 50 hundredths versus 45 hundredths.
- 50 hundredths is greater.
0.5 is greater than 0.45.
Try it now
These questions come from the same validated skill generator used by the game.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the decimal with more digits is larger.
- Misaligning decimal points in addition.
- Treating 0.5 as five hundredths.
Challenge
Place 0.375 exactly halfway between two labelled eighths on a number line.
Questions learners ask
Is 0.50 the same as 0.5?
Yes. A trailing zero does not change the value.
Why align decimal points?
Alignment places ones under ones, tenths under tenths and so on.