Comparing decimals

This Grade 5 worksheet practices comparing decimals (Common Core 5.NBT.A.3, 5.NBT.A.3b; Alberta Number 1).

18 comparing decimals problems for Grade 5, with an answer key. Free printable PDF.

On this sheet

• Which symbol goes in the box to make this true: 2.317 ▢ 2.3? — answer: >
• Which symbol goes in the box to make this true: 1.804 ▢ 1.84? — answer: <
• Which symbol goes in the box to make this true: 0.58 ▢ 0.5? — answer: >

How to teach it

1. Each place is ten times the place to its right: tenths are ten times hundredths, ones are ten times tenths.
2. To compare decimals, line up the decimal points and compare place by place from the left.
3. To round, look at the digit one place to the right: 5 or more rounds up.
4. To add or subtract decimals, line up the decimal points, then work as with whole numbers.

Questions teachers ask

How many problems are on this worksheet?

18 on one page, with the answer key on the last page.

What grade and standard is it for?

Grade 5. Common Core: 5.NBT.A.3, 5.NBT.A.3b. Alberta: Number 1.

Can I print more than one version?

Yes. Every version has different numbers and its own answer key. Use “Make another version” for a new one; the same version always prints the same.

When do students learn decimals?

In the Common Core, tenths and hundredths start in Grade 4 (4.NF.C.6), place value to thousandths, rounding and all four operations with decimals are Grade 5 (5.NBT.A.3, 5.NBT.A.4, 5.NBT.B.7), and fluency with decimal operations is Grade 6 (6.NS.B.3).

What is expanded form?

A number written as the sum of the value of each digit: 4,072 is 4,000 + 70 + 2, and 3.25 is 3 + 0.2 + 0.05.