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Equivalent Decimals
Equivalent decimals are exactly what the name sounds like, decimals that are equal. For example, 0.1 (one tenth) is equal to 0.10 (ten hundredths).
Let's take a look at a model given below to understand equivalent decimals in a better way.
From the model, it is clear that 0.1 is equal to 0.10. That is because, each tenth has been broken up into ten equal parts.
And if we break the hundredths into ten equal parts, then we will have 0.100 (one hundred thousandths), which also equals 0.1.
Below given are the two important concepts to understand equivalent decimals:
- It is important to know the difference between 0.1, 0.10 and 0.100. The place value indicates the parts of a whole get progressively smaller from tenths, hundredths to thousandths. That is because, as we move to the right of the decimal point, each position is 10 times less.
- The other important thing is that 0.10 and 0.100 can both be simplified to 0.1 The additional zeros to the right of 0.1 are called place holders and show the specific place value of decimal number.
Here are some other models that show equivalent decimals.
Here are some more examples of equivalent decimals, without a model:
0.3 = 0.30 0.19 = 0.190 0.03 = 0.030 0.468 = 0.4680
In fact, any number of zeros (0) to the right of the last digit other than zero (1-9) is an equivalent decimal to the same decimal number without the zeros.
For example:
Let's take a look at some more examples.
Example 1
Which of the following decimals is equivalent to 0.4?
a) 0.04
b) 0.14
c) 0.400
Any decimal number with additional zeros to the right of last digit other than zero (1-9) is equivalent to the decimal number without the zeros.
So, the correct answer is 0.400.
Example 2
Which of the following decimals is equivalent to 0.38?
a) 0.0038
b) 0.380
c) 3.8
Any decimal number with additional zeros to the right of last digit other than zero (1-9) is equivalent to the decimal number without the zeros.
So, the correct answer is 0.380.
Example 3
Which of the following decimals is equivalent to 0.0480?
a) 4.80
b) 0.048
c) 0.00048
Look at the last digit to the right that is not a zero (any digit 1-9). That is the digit 8 in the thousandths place. Simplify by removing the zero farthest to the right of the decimal point after digit 8, like this: 0.0480
So, the correct answer is 0.048.
Example 4
Which of the following decimals is equivalent to 0.31000?
a) 0.31
b) 0.0031
c) 3.10
Look at the last digit to the right that is not a zero (any digit 1-9). That is the digit 1.
Simplify by removing the 3 zeros farthest to the right of the decimal point after the digit 1, like this: 0.31000
So, the correct answer is 0.31.
Equivalent Decimals
- Equivalent decimals are any decimal numbers that are equal.
- Decimal models show how equivalent decimals fill up the same amount of the whole.
- Any number of zeros (0) to the right of the last digit other than zero (1-9) is an equivalent decimal to the same decimal number without the zeros. For example: 0.2 = 0.20 = 0.200 = 0.2000.
