Decimal Comparison: Finding the Largest Value of 0.5

Q: Why is 0.55 bigger than 0.5 if they both start with 5?

Great question! When comparing $ 0.5 $ and $ 0.55 $, think of them as $ 0.50 $ and $ 0.55 $. The tenths place is the same (both have 5), but the hundredths place is different: 0 vs 5. Since 5 > 0, we have 0.55 > 0.50.

Q: Does 0.499 have more value because it has three decimal places?

No! The number of decimal places doesn't determine size. Compare $ 0.499 $ to $ 0.500 $: the tenths place shows 4 \( 0.499 . Place value matters more than number of digits!

Q: How do I quickly compare decimals without getting confused?

Follow these steps: 1) Line up the decimal points, 2) Add zeros to make equal lengths, 3) Compare digit by digit from left to right. Stop at the first different digit - the larger digit wins!

Q: What's the easiest way to remember decimal comparison rules?

Think of decimals like money! $ 0.55 $ is 55 cents and $ 0.5 $ is 50 cents. Obviously 55 cents > 50 cents. This mental trick works for all decimal comparisons!

Q: Can I convert decimals to fractions to compare them?

Absolutely! Converting helps verify your answer: $ 0.55 = \frac{55}{100} $ and $ 0.5 = \frac{50}{100} $. Since $ \frac{55}{100} > \frac{50}{100} $, we confirm $ 0.55 > 0.5 $.

Decimal Comparison with Place Value Analysis

Which of the following numbers is greater in value than $0.5$ ?

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Choose the number larger than the given number

00:04 We can always add 0 to the right side of the last digit:

00:07 Let's compare the digits of the numbers

00:12 The digit 5 is greater than 0, so the number is larger

00:15 Let's check the next number using the same method

00:19 We can see that the numbers are equal

00:22 Let's check the next number using the same method

00:25 The digit 4 is less than 5, so the number is smaller

00:29 Let's check the next number using the same method

00:35 The digit 4 is less than 5, so the number is smaller

00:39 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Which of the following numbers is greater in value than $0.5$ ?

Step-by-step solution

In order to determine the correct answer, add 0 to our number as follows:

$0.5=0.50$

Let's observe the answers:

0.55 - Given that the hundredths digit is 5 and 5 is greater than 0, this is the correct answer.

0.5 - If we add 0 and compare 0.50 to 0.50, due to the fact that both numbers are equal, this is not the correct answer.

0.42 - Owing to the fact that the tenths digit is 4 and 4 is less than 5, this is not the correct answer

0.499 - If we add another 0 to our number and compare 0.499 to 0.500, given that the tenths digit is 4 and 4 is less than 5, this is not the correct answer.

Final Answer

$0.55$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Compare decimals digit by digit from left to right
Technique: Add zeros to align places: 0.5 = 0.50 vs 0.55
Check: Verify by converting to fractions: 0.55 = 55/100 > 50/100 = 0.5 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Comparing only the number of digits after the decimal
Don't think 0.499 > 0.5 because it has more digits = wrong comparison! Having more decimal places doesn't make a number larger. Always compare place values starting from the tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Which decimal number is greater?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is 0.55 bigger than 0.5 if they both start with 5?

Great question! When comparing $0.5$ and $0.55$ , think of them as $0.50$ and $0.55$ . The tenths place is the same (both have 5), but the hundredths place is different: 0 vs 5. Since 5 > 0, we have 0.55 > 0.50.

Does 0.499 have more value because it has three decimal places?

No! The number of decimal places doesn't determine size. Compare $0.499$ to $0.500$ : the tenths place shows 4 < 5, so $0.499 < 0.5$ . Place value matters more than number of digits!

How do I quickly compare decimals without getting confused?

Follow these steps: 1) Line up the decimal points, 2) Add zeros to make equal lengths, 3) Compare digit by digit from left to right. Stop at the first different digit - the larger digit wins!

What's the easiest way to remember decimal comparison rules?

Think of decimals like money! $0.55$ is 55 cents and $0.5$ is 50 cents. Obviously 55 cents > 50 cents. This mental trick works for all decimal comparisons!

Can I convert decimals to fractions to compare them?

Absolutely! Converting helps verify your answer: $0.55 = \frac{55}{100}$ and $0.5 = \frac{50}{100}$ . Since $\frac{55}{100} > \frac{50}{100}$ , we confirm $0.55 > 0.5$ .

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