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Rational number
is a number that can be
written as a ratio. A fraction is a rational number with a numerator
(number on top)
that is an integer and a denominator
(number on bottom)
that is an integer other than 0.
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The
number 6 is a rational number because it can be written as 6/1.
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2/5 is a
rational number because it can be written as a fraction.
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0.25 is a
rational number because it can be written as a fraction 25/100.
One way to compare
decimals is
by using number lines
or
by creating the same number of digits
after the decimal point.
 
0
0.1 0.2
0.3
0.4 0.5
0.6 0.7
0.8
0.9 1.0
We can see that
between the whole numbers 0 and
1
there are
decimal numbers.
These decimal
numbers are in the "tenths"
place value.
0.7 is
greater than (>) 0.5
0.2
is less than (<) 0.3
0.1 0.01
0.02 0.03
0.04 0.05
0.06 0.07
0.08
0.09 0.2
On this number line
we see that what comes between
the decimal numbers
0.1 and 0.2
These decimal numbers are
in the "hundredths" place value.
0.03
< 0.05
0.08
> 0.07
You can compare decimals without a
number line.
The easiest way to do this is to
make sure that each number you are comparing
has the SAME number of decimal places.
If the two numbers you are comparing
DO NOT have the same number of decimals,
simply add on zeros (0) to make the place
values the same number of digits.
(remember: adding on zeros will not change the value
of your number.)
Example: 0.7
___ 0.53
Add on a zero (0) to the 0.7
so each number will have two (2) decimal places.
0.70 ___ 0.53
.70 is greater than .53
so,
0.70 >
0.53
or
0.7 > 0.53
Decimals can be compared
by
using a number line
or
determining greater than or less than
by looking at place value.
Let's Practice
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