Worked example
29 October 2026
When your child is learning to order simple decimals, it helps to show them how to line up the numbers so they can compare each digit clearly. This makes it much easier to spot which decimal is smallest or largest, especially when the numbers look different at first glance.
Worked example
Order these decimals from smallest to largest: 0.5, 0.38, 0.501
Step 1: Add zeros so all decimals have three decimal places.
0.5 becomes 0.500
0.38 becomes 0.380
0.501 stays the same
Step 2: Compare the digits from left to right.
All have 0 in the ones place.
In the tenths place: 5, 3, 5. So 0.380 is the smallest.
Now compare 0.500 and 0.501. In the hundredths place, both have 0. In the thousandths place, 0.500 has 0 and 0.501 has 1. So 0.500 is smaller than 0.501.
Key insight: Adding zeros helps you see which decimal is bigger or smaller.
The correct order is 0.38, 0.5, 0.501.
| Decimal | With zeros |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.500 |
| 0.38 | 0.380 |
| 0.501 | 0.501 |
After working through this example, your child will recognise that adding zeros helps to compare decimals quickly and accurately. They will be ready to practise more questions just like this, building confidence with ordering decimals for the 11+.
