Which Is Bigger? Comparing and Ordering Decimals

About This Resource

A free Grade 4 math worksheet on comparing and ordering decimals with tenths and hundredths. Students line up digits by place value, compare with and =, avoid the longer-is-bigger trap (0.5 > 0.45), order decimals from smallest to largest and solve real-life comparisons with race times and lengths. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

To compare decimals, students start from the left and compare digits in the same place: ones, then tenths, then hundredths. A common mistake is to think that a decimal with more digits is bigger, but 0.5 is greater than 0.45, because 5 tenths is more than 4 tenths. Writing 0.5 as 0.50 helps. Students compare pairs with and =, use place value charts and number lines, order sets of decimals and solve problems about running times, heights and lengths, remembering that a smaller time is faster.

Resource Details

Subject: Math
Topic: Comparing and Ordering Decimals
Category: Fractions & Decimals
File Type: PDF
File Size: 200.8 KB
Published: 13 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

Download Free

Free with a TeachLuma account — it takes a minute.

Looking for something different? Request a Resource.

Grade 4 math (ages 9–10) 45 minutes Place value decimals comparing ordering reasoning

Student Task

Write 0.5 and 0.45 on the board. Ask: "Which is bigger? How do you know?" Discuss the answers.
Model with a place value chart, then do activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Decimal line-up: students hold decimal cards and stand in order from smallest to largest.
Place value chart: students write pairs of decimals in a chart and compare column by column.
Race results: students order sprint times and decide who won.

Differentiation

Support: use a place value chart and tenths only. Challenge: students order decimals with different whole numbers and explain each step.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check comparing and ordering (answer key included). Activity 6 shows whether students can apply decimals to a problem.

Learning Objectives

Compare decimals to hundredths using place value.
Order decimals from smallest to largest.
Use decimal comparisons to solve real-life problems.

Teacher Tips

Adding a zero to make decimals the same length (0.5 = 0.50) is a helpful step. Remind students that for times, the smaller number is faster, so ordering depends on the question.

What's Included

6-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

Additional Files

Which Is Greater? Comparing and Ordering Fractions

Comparing Fractions

A complete Grade 4 math pack on comparing fractions with >, < and =: same denominators, sa...

View Resource