Decimal Notation

Place Value Chart

Hundreds Tens Ones Tenths Hundredths Thousandths Ten- Hundred- Millionths
Thousandths Thousandths
100 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
10 100 1, 000 10, 000 100, 000 1, 000, 000

How to write a word name, given decimal notation:

1. Write a word name for the whole number. That is, the number to the left of the decimal
point.

2. Write the word “and” for the decimal point.

3. Write a word name for the number to the right of the decimal point followed by the
place value of the last digit.

Examples: Write the word name for each of the following.

1. 56.29

Solution: The number to the left of the decimal point is “fifty-six”. The number to the right
of the decimal point is “twenty-nine” and the place value of the last digit is the hundredths
place. Therefore, the word name is “fifty-six and twenty-nine hundredths”.

2. 7.4813

Solution: The number to the left of the decimal point is “seven”. The number to the right of
the decimal point is “four thousand, eight hundred thirteen”. Therefore, the word name is
“seven and four thousand, eight hundred thirteen ten thousandths”.

How to write a word name for an amount on a check:

Example: Write $2,358.97 in words, as on a check.

97
Solution: Two thousand, three hundred fifty-eight and dollars
100
Converting from decimal notation to fraction notation:
1. Count the number of decimal places.

2. Move the decimal point that number of places to the right.

3. Write this number over a denominator of 1 followed by the same number of zeros as
decimal places from Step 1.

4. Simplify the fraction, if needed.

Examples: Convert to fraction notation. Do not simplify.

45
1. 4.5 4.5 4.5 =
10

1 decimal place 1 zero in the denominator

1237
2. 0.1237 0.1237 0.1237 =
10, 000

4 decimal places 4 zeros in the denominator

3. Write 9.31 as a fraction and as a mixed number.

931
9.31 9.31 =
100

2 decimal places 2 zeros in the denominator

To write as a mixed number, rewrite the whole number part and write the number to the
right of the decimal point in fraction form.

31
9.31 = 9
100

2 decimal places 2 zeros in the denominator

Converting from fraction notation to decimal notation:
1. Count the number of zeros in the denominator.

2. Move the decimal point of the numerator that number of places to the left and remove
the denominator.

Examples: Convert to decimal notation.

521
1.
100

Solution: Notice that there are two zeros in the denominator. Therefore, we will move the
decimal point in the numerator two places to the left and remove the denominator.

Note: The decimal point on an integer is to the right of the last digit of the integer.

521
= 5.21
100

37
2. −
1000

Solution: Notice that there are three zeros in the denominator. Therefore, we will move
the decimal point in the numerator three places to the left and remove the denominator.

Note: We moved the decimal point more places than we had numbers. So, we used a zero
for the place holder in front of the 3. Also, since the fraction was negative, the decimal will
also be negative.

37
− = −0.037
1000
 Decimal Notation

Order
Examples:

1. Which number is larger 5.37 or 5.3?

Solution: First, compare the numbers to the left of the decimal points.

5.37 and 5.3 Numbers are the same.

Next, we compare the numbers to the right of the decimal points.

5.37 and 5.3 Numbers are the same.

5.37 and 5.30 Numbers are different. 7 is larger than 0.

Therefore, 5.37 is larger than 5.3. Also, we can say that 5.37 > 5.3

2. Which is larger − 8.2 or − 8.24?

Solution: First, compare the numbers to the left of the decimal points.

− 8.2 and − 8.24 Numbers are the same.

Next, we compare the numbers to the right of the decimal points.

− 8.2 and − 8.24 Numbers are the same.

− 8.20 and − 8.24 Numbers are different. 0 is smaller than 4.

Therefore, is larger − 8.2 than − 8.24. Also, we can say that −8.2 > −8.24
Rounding Decimal Notation
Steps:

1. Locate the digit in the place that you want to round.

2. Look at the digit to the right of that place.

3. a. If the digit to the right is 5 or larger, then add one to the digit that you want to
round.

b. If the digit to the right is 4 or smaller, then the digit that you want to round does not
change.

Examples:

1. Round 54.237 to the nearest hundredth.

Solution: Locate the digit in the hundredths place. 54.237

Look at the digit to the right of the 3. 54.237

Since the 7 is larger than 5, then we add one to the 3. Thus, we round 54.237 to 54.24

2. Round − 8.24 to the nearest tenth.

Solution: Locate the digit in the tenths place. − 8.24

Look at the digit to the right of the 2. − 8.24

Since the digit is 4, then we do not change the digit that we want to round. Thus, we round

− 8.24 to − 8.2

3. Round 0.27 to the nearest thousandth.

Solution: The repeating part is rewritten until we have passed the thousandths place: 0.2727...

a) Locate the digit in the thousandths place. 0.2727...

b) Consider the next digit to the right. 0.2727..

c) Since that digit, 7, is greater than or equal to 5, round up. 0.273

Therefore, 0.27 = 0.273