Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Ordering Decimals

Learn how to order decimals by comparing place value columns from left to right.

Use place value columns

Use place value columns

  • Line up the decimal points

    • Compare the ones column first

    • If the ones digits are the same, compare the tenths column

    • If the tenths digits are the same, compare the hundredths column

  • This helps compare decimals one column at a time

Compare tenths

Compare tenths

  • If the ones digits are the same, compare the tenths digits

    • For example, 2.3 and 2.7 both have 2 ones

    • Compare 3 tenths and 7 tenths

    • So, 2.3 < 2.7

Compare hundredths

Compare hundredths

  • If the ones and tenths digits are the same, compare the hundredths digits

    • For example, 4.25 and 4.28 both have 4 ones and 2 tenths

    • Compare 5 hundredths and 8 hundredths

    • So, 4.25 < 4.28

Add zeros to compare

Add zeros to compare

  • Decimals can be written with extra zeros at the end without changing their value

    • For example, 3.4 = 3.40
  • This can make it easier to compare decimals with different numbers of decimal places

Jump to other topics
1

Number

1.1

Place Value & Ordering

1.2

Numerical Operations

1.3

Fractions

1.4

Numerical Operations (Fractions)

1.5

Roots & Powers

1.6

Structure of Calculations

1.7

Numerical Skills

1.8

Factors & Multiples

1.9

Systematic Listing

1.10

Standard Form

1.11

Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.12

Percentage Change

1.13

Rounding & Estimation

1.14

Bounds & Accuracy

2

Algebra

2.1

Algebraic Notation

2.2

Substitution & Simplification

2.3

Brackets

2.4

Algebraic Fractions

2.5

Rearranging

2.6

Functions

2.7

Solving Linear Equations

2.8

Inequalities

2.9

Simultaneous Equations

2.10

Sequences

2.11

Coordinates

2.12

Linear Graphs

2.13

Quadratic Graphs

3

Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change

4

Geometry & Measures

5

Probability

6

Statistics

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium