Comparing decimals using < > = and ordering sets of decimals from smallest to largest.
Where your child meets this in real life: Comparing race times, prices, or measurements to find the best option
SEAGReady breaks order and compare decimals into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Compare two decimals with the same number of decimal places using <, >, or =
Compare decimals with different numbers of decimal places by equalizing decimal lengths
Order a set of 3-4 decimals from smallest to largest
Three free sample questions from our order and compare decimals course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Aoife ran 100 metres in 0.35 minutes. Ciara ran it in 0.42 minutes. Who ran faster? Compare 0.35 and 0.42 using < or >.
Answer: A. 0.35 < 0.42 (Aoife was faster)
Both decimals have 2 decimal places, so compare from left to right: - Tenths: 3 vs 4. Since 3 < 4, we already know the answer. 0.35 < 0.42 Aoife ran faster because 0.35 minutes is less than 0.42 minutes.
Stuck? Start here: Both decimals have 2 decimal places. Compare digit by digit from the left.
At the school fair, apples cost 0.3 each and oranges cost 0.25 each. Which fruit costs more? Compare 0.3 and 0.25.
Answer: A. Apples (0.3 > 0.25)
First, make both decimals the same length: 0.3 = 0.30 Now compare 0.30 and 0.25: - Tenths: 3 vs 2. Since 3 > 2, we know 0.30 > 0.25. Apples cost more at 0.30 (30p) compared to 0.25 (25p).
Stuck? Start here: The decimals have different numbers of places. Can you make them the same length?
Four students measured their standing jumps: Roisin 0.3 m, Conor 0.25 m, Niamh 0.4 m, Sean 0.2 m. Put the distances in order from smallest to largest.
Answer: A. 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4
Pad all decimals to 2 places: 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.40 Compare tenths: 2, 2, 3, 4 - 0.20 and 0.25 both have 2 tenths, so compare hundredths: 0 < 5 - 0.20 < 0.25 < 0.30 < 0.40 Order: Sean (0.2), Conor (0.25), Roisin (0.3), Niamh (0.4)
Stuck? Start here: First, make all decimals the same length by adding zeros.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara ran 100 metres in 0.48 minutes. Aoife ran it in 0.51 minutes.
Who ran faster? (Compare 0.48 and 0.51)
0.48 ? 0.51
Step 1 of 4
Ciara ran 100 metres in 0.48 minutes. Aoife ran it in 0.51 minutes.
Who ran faster? (Compare 0.48 and 0.51)
Ciara ran faster because 0.48 minutes is less than 0.51 minutes.
The key insight: Compare column by column from left to right - stop as soon as you find a difference!
Watch out: 0.48 > 0.51 because 48 > 51... wait, that's wrong too!. Some students just look at the digits after the decimal as a whole number. Compare place by place instead.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in order and compare decimals, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with order and compare decimals? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.