Ordering Larger Decimals: Step-by-Step Example
27 October 2026
When children see decimals with different numbers of digits after the decimal point, it can be confusing to know which is bigger or smaller. Using trailing zeros helps make each decimal easier to compare, so your child can look at the digits in order and decide which comes first.
Worked example
Order these decimals from smallest to largest:
3.42, 3.407, 3.5, 3.47
Step 1: Make all the decimals the same length by adding zeros at the end if needed.
3.420, 3.407, 3.500, 3.470
Step 2: Compare the digits from left to right. Start with the ones, then tenths, then hundredths, then thousandths.
All numbers have 3 in the ones place. Next, look at the tenths:
3.420 (4), 3.407 (4), 3.500 (5), 3.470 (4)
3.500 has the biggest tenths digit (5), so it is the largest.
Now look at the three numbers with 4 in the tenths place: 3.420, 3.407, 3.470.
Compare the hundredths:
3.420 (2), 3.407 (0), 3.470 (7)
Smallest is 0 (3.407), then 2 (3.420), then 7 (3.470).
So, the order from smallest to largest is:
3.407, 3.420, 3.470, 3.500
The correct answer is 3.407, 3.420, 3.470, 3.500.
| Decimal | With trailing zeros |
|---|---|
| 3.42 | 3.420 |
| 3.407 | 3.407 |
| 3.5 | 3.500 |
| 3.47 | 3.470 |
After working through this example, your child will recognise that making decimals the same length and comparing digits from left to right makes ordering larger decimals much simpler. They are now ready to practise this skill with similar questions.
