Understanding Decimal Numbers
Decimal numbers are a special type of number that help us show parts of a whole. Just like fractions, decimals are used when a number is not a whole number, such as when we are working with money, measurements, or time.
A decimal point separates the whole number part from the fractional part. For example:
In 3.5, the 3 is the whole number, and the 5 is the decimal part, representing half (0.5).
In 7.23, the 7 is the whole number, and the 23 represents 23 hundredths.
Why Are Decimals Important?
Decimals make it easy to compare and calculate with fractions. For example:
Money: £2.75 means 2 pounds and 75 pence.
Measurements: 1.5 metres is one and a half metres.
Key Points to Remember:
The place value of decimals is important:
The first digit after the decimal point is the tenths place.
The second digit is the hundredths place.
The third digit is the thousandths place.
For example, in 5.678:
5 is the whole number.
6 is in the tenths place (0.6).
7 is in the hundredths place (0.07).
8 is in the thousandths place (0.008).
Reading Decimals:
0.4 is read as "four tenths."
0.25 is read as "twenty-five hundredths."
Comparing Decimals:
Compare the digits place by place.
For example, 0.75 is greater than 0.6 because 75 hundredths are more than 60 hundredths.
Converting Between Fractions and Decimals:
1/2 is the same as 0.5.
3/4 is the same as 0.75.
Decimals are everywhere, and learning how to use them will help you solve real-life problems, from shopping to baking to measuring!
Test Your Knowledge: Decimal questions
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