OpenOlympiad
Concept 9 of 11Foundation
Video

Decimal fractions — another name for tenths, hundredths…

A decimal is just another way to write a fraction whose denominator is a power of 10.

  • 0.1 = 1/10 (one tenth)
  • 0.01 = 1/100 (one hundredth)
  • 0.001 = 1/1000 (one thousandth)
  • 0.25 = 25/100 = 1/4
  • 0.75 = 75/100 = 3/4

The DECIMAL POINT separates the whole number from the fractional part. Place value continues after the point: tenths, hundredths, thousandths.

Like fractions, decimals can be compared, added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided. Money and measurements are usually in decimals.

Example
3.425 = 3 + 4/10 + 2/100 + 5/1000.

Convert 0.6 to fraction: 6/10 = 3/5.
Convert 5/8 to decimal: 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625.
Compare 0.7 and 0.75: add a zero to 0.7 → 0.70; now 0.75 > 0.70.
3.425onestenthshdthsthdths
💡 Tip:To compare decimals, make the number of decimal places EQUAL first by adding zeros.
Prefer a video? Open YouTube search for “decimal fractions class 6

🎯 Try it!

5 questions to check what you just read.

0 / 5
  1. Q1.0.7 as a fraction:
  2. Q2.0.25 as a fraction in simplest form:
  3. Q3.3/5 as a decimal:
  4. Q4.Compare 0.4 and 0.40:
  5. Q5.Tenths digit of 12.375: