Decimal Comparison: Is 0.5 Equal to 0.50?

Q: Why do we sometimes write 0.50 instead of 0.5?

We add trailing zeros for consistency when comparing decimals or showing precision. For example, when comparing 0.50 and 0.47, both have the same number of decimal places.

Q: Does 0.5 really equal 0.500000?

Yes! You can add as many trailing zeros as you want after the last significant digit. Think of it like writing $5.00 instead of $5 - it's the same amount of money.

Q: How can I prove they're the same?

Convert to fractions: $ 0.5 = \frac{5}{10} $ and $ 0.50 = \frac{50}{100} = \frac{5}{10} $. Same fraction means same value!

Q: When should I keep or remove trailing zeros?

In pure math, you can usually remove them. In science and measurement, trailing zeros might show precision, so keep them when specified.

Decimal Equivalence with Trailing Zeros

Are they the same numbers?

$0.5\stackrel{?}{=}0.50$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:06 First, let's check if the numbers are identical.

00:10 Remember, we can always add zero to the right side of the last digit.

00:15 Great! It looks like the numbers are equal.

00:18 And that's how we solve this problem! Well done!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Are they the same numbers?

$0.5\stackrel{?}{=}0.50$

Step-by-step solution

We will add 0 to the number 0.5 in the following way:

$0.5=0.50$

And we will discover that the numbers are identical

Final Answer

Yes

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Trailing zeros after decimal point don't change value
Technique: Add zeros: 0.5 becomes 0.50 but equals same amount
Check: Convert to fractions: 0.5 = 5/10 and 0.50 = 50/100 = 5/10 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Thinking trailing zeros change the value
Don't assume 0.50 is different from 0.5 because of extra zeros = wrong comparison! Trailing zeros are just placeholders that don't add value. Always remember that 0.5 = 0.50 = 0.500 - they're identical numbers.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Which decimal number is greater?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we sometimes write 0.50 instead of 0.5?

We add trailing zeros for consistency when comparing decimals or showing precision. For example, when comparing 0.50 and 0.47, both have the same number of decimal places.

Does 0.5 really equal 0.500000?

Yes! You can add as many trailing zeros as you want after the last significant digit. Think of it like writing $5.00 instead of$ 5 - it's the same amount of money.

How can I prove they're the same?

Convert to fractions: $0.5 = \frac{5}{10}$ and $0.50 = \frac{50}{100} = \frac{5}{10}$ . Same fraction means same value!

When should I keep or remove trailing zeros?

In pure math, you can usually remove them. In science and measurement, trailing zeros might show precision, so keep them when specified.

What about leading zeros like 0.5 vs .5?

Always include the leading zero before the decimal point! Write 0.5, not .5, to avoid confusion and follow proper mathematical notation.

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