--- title: "Comparing two-decimal numbers" description: "Compare numbers with the same number of decimal places up to two decimal places" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-two-decimal-numbers-mt_IegHBHERVa source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-two-decimal-numbers-mt_IegHBHERVa.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Comparing two-decimal numbers Compare numbers with the same number of decimal places up to two decimal places Subject: Mathematics · Area: Fractions · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-two-decimal-numbers-mt_IegHBHERVa ## Ready when they can - Order 0.45, 0.54, 0.39 from smallest to largest - Compare 3.72 and 3.27 using place-value reasoning - Compare two prices with the same number of decimal places, like £6.47 and £6.42 ## Lesson: Comparing two-decimal numbers A decimal has ones, tenths, and hundredths. To compare two decimals with the same number of decimal places, start on the left. Compare the ones first. If they match, compare the tenths, and the bigger tenths digit wins. If the tenths match too, compare the hundredths. In 0.74 and 0.71 the tenths tie at 7, and 4 hundredths beats 1, so 0.74 is bigger. **Example.** Compare 3.72 and 3.27. Both start with a 3, so look at the tenths digit next: 3.72 has a 7, and 3.27 has a 2. Seven tenths is more than two tenths, so 3.72 is bigger. The hundredths do not matter here. *(drawing: The taller the bar, the bigger the number. 0.39 is shortest, 0.54 is tallest.)* **Example.** Two prices: £4.75 and £4.57. Both have 4 pounds, so compare the digit right after the decimal point: 7 in £4.75, and 5 in £4.57. £4.75 costs more, even though both prices use a 5 and a 7. **Tip.** Line up the digits by place. Compare the ones, then the tenths. Only look at the hundredths if the ones and the tenths both match. **Recap.** Same number of decimal places: compare ones, then tenths, and only check the hundredths if the tenths are tied too. *Lesson, practice questions and flashcards are original to this dataset.* ## Practice 16 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Decimal equivalents of tenths and hundredths](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/decimal-equivalents-of-tenths-and-hundredths-mt_TqDq6jyOmL) ## Opens up - [Comparing Decimals](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/comparing-decimals-mt_933BohS9BH)