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

Are they the same numbers?

$0.23\stackrel{?}{=}0.32$

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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