Which is bigger, 1.2 or 1.15

Step by step

The question

Question: which is bigger, 1.2 or 1.15?

1 Same number of digits

Zeros at the end of a decimal do not change it: 1.2 is the same as 1.20.

So we give every number 2 digits after the point.

2 Compare

Now both have 2 digits after the point.

So we can forget the point and compare them like whole numbers: 115 < 120.

Careful!

More digits does not mean bigger.

Compare 1.15 with 1.20.

3 Write the answer

Now with the numbers as they were given: 1.15 < 1.2.

So 1.2 is bigger.

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: 1.15, 1.2.

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.