Question

Can decimals that end in different place values be compared.

Answer 1

Yes, decimals that end in different place values can be compared, as long as they are either truncated or rounded appropriately to the same number of decimal places. When comparing decimals:

1. **Align the decimal points**: Ensure both numbers are written in the same format so the place values can be easily compared.

2. **Add zeros if necessary**: If one decimal has fewer digits after the decimal point, you can add zeros to make them the same length. For example, 0.5 can be written as 0.500 to compare it directly with 0.55.

3. **Compare digit by digit**: Start comparing from the leftmost digit after the decimal point moving to the right until you find a difference.

For example, to compare 0.5 (or 0.500) with 0.55:
- Compare the first digit after the decimal: 5 vs. 5 (they are equal)
- Compare the second digit: 0 vs. 5 (0 is less than 5)

Thus, 0.5 < 0.55.

In summary, you can compare decimals with different lengths by ensuring they are formatted in a consistent way.