FRACTIONS, DECIMALS AND PERCENTAGES

Ordering Decimals

Learn the reliable method for ordering decimals, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

Compare decimals by place value, not by the number of digits shown.

Picture itSee each decimal digit hold its place
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Add trailing zero placeholders so the values have equal length.
  2. Compare from the greatest place value towards the right.
  3. For ordering, record the original values in the required direction.
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

Put these decimals in increasing order: 6.52, 6.60, 6.502, 6.519.

  1. Write each value to three decimal places, then compare from tenths to thousandths: 6.502, 6.519, 6.52, 6.60.
Answer: 6.502, 6.519, 6.52, 6.60
Example 2

Which option lists these decimals from least to greatest? 3.53, 3.60, 3.503, 3.529.

  1. Write each value to three decimal places, then compare from tenths to thousandths: 3.503, 3.529, 3.53, 3.60.
Answer: 3.503, 3.529, 3.53, 3.60
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

For ordering, record the original values in the required direction.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.