Compare -0.4 and -0.35

Step by step

The question

Question: compare −0.4 and −0.35.

1 Same number of digits

Zeros at the end of a decimal do not change it: −0.4 is the same as −0.40.

So we give every number 2 digits after the point.

2 Compare

Negative numbers are below 0.

40 > 35, so −0.40 is further below 0.

Further below 0 means smaller.

Careful!

0.4 is more than 0.35.

But −0.4 is further below 0, so it is smaller.

3 Write the answer

Now with the numbers as they were given: −0.4 < −0.35.

−0.4 is less than −0.35.

4 Check

Let's check on a number line.

Smaller numbers are further to the left.

We put a dot for each number.

From left to right: −0.4, −0.35.

The same order.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: same number of digits.

Then: compare.

Then: write the answer.

Last: check.