Comparing Decimals to Thousandths

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Grade 5MathDecimalsCCSS 5.NBT.A.3.b

Skill: Comparing decimals to thousandths using greater than, less than, and equal to

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10 versions, each with its own answer key

Same skill and layout, a fresh set of problems in every version, so children can keep practicing without repeating a page. Problems are not repeated between versions unless a skill has only a small number of possible problems (for example, the addition facts within 10).

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About this worksheet

Comparing decimals is tricky because a longer decimal is not always a bigger one. Is 0.45 greater than 0.405? Many students say no, because 405 is bigger than 45. This fifth-grade worksheet gives eighteen pairs of decimals to the thousandths place. Students write the greater than, less than, or equal to symbol between each pair.

In every pair, both numbers have the same whole-number part, and the two decimals have a different number of digits after the decimal point. That way students must compare place by place instead of looking at length. Two problems on each sheet are equal pairs, such as 3.4 and 3.400, which shows that zeros at the end of a decimal do not change its value.

How to use it: line the two numbers up by their decimal points, one above the other, and write in zeros so both have three digits after the point. Then compare from left to right: tenths first, then hundredths, then thousandths. The first place where the digits differ tells you which number is greater. A place value chart helps students who are still unsure. Remind students that the open side of the symbol faces the greater number.

The answer key shows each pair with the correct symbol. This worksheet supports Common Core standard 5.NBT.A.3.b (compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in each place, using greater than, equal to, and less than symbols). The ten versions never repeat a problem. Warm up with our Decimal Place Value worksheet, and follow up with our Rounding Decimals worksheet.