Which is smaller, 0.3 or 0.28

Step by step

The question

Question: which is smaller, 0.3 or 0.28?

1 Same number of digits

Zeros at the end of a decimal do not change it: 0.3 is the same as 0.30.

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: 28 < 30.

Careful!

More digits does not mean bigger.

Compare 0.28 with 0.30.

3 Write the answer

Now with the numbers as they were given: 0.28 < 0.3.

So 0.28 is smaller.

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: 0.28, 0.3.

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.