Which is bigger, 1 3/5 or 1.35

Step by step

The question

Question: which is bigger, 1 and 3/5 or 1.35?

1 Write it as a decimal

To compare, we write every number the same way: as a decimal.

1 and 3/5 means 1 plus 3/5.

5 times 2 is 10, so we multiply the top and the bottom by 2.

3/5 is 6 tenths: 0.6.

So 1 and 3/5 is 1.6.

Careful!

The 3 and the 5 are a fraction, not digits after the point.

3/5 is 0.6.

2 Same number of digits

Zeros at the end of a decimal do not change it: 1.6 is the same as 1.60.

So we give every number 2 digits after the point.

3 Compare

Now both have 2 digits after the point.

So we can forget the point and compare them like whole numbers: 135 < 160.

4 Write the answer

Now with the numbers as they were given: 1.35 < 1 and 3/5.

So 1 and 3/5 is bigger.

5 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: 1.35, 1 and 3/5.

The same order.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: write it as a decimal.

Then: same number of digits.

Then: compare.

Then: write the answer.

Last: check.