Understanding Decimals: Reading, Writing, and Comparing

Objective:

Learn how to read, write, and compare decimals, and understand their connection to fractions.

Lesson Plan:

1. What Are Decimals?

• Definition: A decimal is another way to represent fractions or parts of a whole, using place value.
• Examples: 0.5, 2.75, 0.125.

1. Place Value in Decimals

• Tenths, hundredths, thousandths (e.g., 0.3 = three-tenths, 0.25 = twenty-five hundredths).
• Breaking down decimals into expanded form:
• Example: 2.37 = 2+310+71002 + \frac{3}{10} + \frac{7}{100}2+103​+1007​.

1. Reading and Writing Decimals

• Read decimals aloud (e.g., 1.45 = "one and forty-five hundredths").
• Write fractions as decimals and vice versa:
• Example: 310=0.3,7100=0.07\frac{3}{10} = 0.3, \frac{7}{100} = 0.07103​=0.3,1007​=0.07.

1. Comparing Decimals

• Use place value to compare decimals:
• Example: Compare 0.56 and 0.65 (look at tenths, then hundredths).
• Represent decimals on a number line for better visualization.

Practice Exercises:

1. Write the decimal equivalent for 110,3100,271000\frac{1}{10}, \frac{3}{100}, \frac{27}{1000}101​,1003​,100027​.
2. Compare these decimals using <, >, or =:

• 0.45 and 0.54
• 1.02 and 1.2

1. Place the following decimals on a number line: 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.

Conclusion:

Understanding decimals is essential for measurements, money, and many other real-life applications. Mastering decimals builds a strong foundation for percentages and advanced arithmetic.