What’s the Problem?

Buddy Discussion
If you were given these sets of decimal numbers and asked to order them from least to
greatest, how would you do that? What’s your strategy?

74% 3 0.8
4

Or

4
74% 9%
5

It can get pretty confusing!

But… fear not! There are some strategies that you can learn
that will help you become a...
…Master of Comparing and Ordering Fractions,
Decimals and Percentages!

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First Things First!

What’s the order?

Most of the time you’ll be asked to put
numbers in order from smallest to
greatest.
This is called ascending order. Like
going up a flight of stairs and getting
higher as you go.
Sometimes though, you’ll be asked to
put numbers in order from greatest to
smallest.
This is called descending order. Like
coming down a flight of stairs and
getting lower as you go.

Greatest

Greatest

Smallest Smallest

So…...MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!

Second Things Second

There are some commonly used conversions between decimals, fractions and percentages that
are used a lot! If you know these really well, it will help you to be able to make quick
conversions and comparisons in your head.

Let’s check your knowledge. What’s missing?

Top Tip: You might want to make a table in your maths book and write these down as you
go!
 Fraction Decimal Percentage
1
= = 0.1 = 10%
10
1
= = 0.2 = 20%
5
1
= = 0.25 = 25%
4
1
= = 0.33 = 33.3%
3
1
= = 0.5 = 50%
2
2
= = 0.66 = 66.6%
3
3
= = 0.75 = 75%
4

= 1 = 1 = 100%
 Quick Skill Drill
Now let’s put those known conversions into action! By using what you already know, you can
convert all the numbers into the same format and make a quick comparison to be able to order
them. Order these numbers from smallest to greatest.

Convert these 3 numbers into whatever form is easiest for you: decimal, fraction or percentage.
Then order them from smallest to greatest.
What’s your preference? Is it different to your buddy?
1
0.25 10% So the correct order from
2
smallest to greatest with
the numbers back in their
Decimals 0.5 0.25 0.1 original form is:

1 1 1 1
Fraction 10% 0.25
2 4 10 2

Percentage 50% 25% 10%

Quick Skill Drill
Use what you already know to have a crack at ordering these numbers from smallest to greatest.

Be on your guard!
Some of these numbers are the commonly used fractions, decimals and percentages. Others are close
to these commonly used numbers but you can still use what you know and some logical thinking to
work
out the order.
1 0.5 20% 1 20% 0.5
10 10
2 0.2 33.3% 2
0.2 33.3%
3 3
3 0.8 74% 3
74% 0.8
4 4
1 0.6 49% 1
49% 0.6
2 2
1 0.3 21% 1 21% 0.3
5 5
Changing Between Fractions,
Decimals and Percentages
To be able to compare fractions, decimals and percentages, they all need to be in the same form.
All decimals, all percentages or all fractions. Then comparison is easy as!

Here is a helpful reference

diagram that gives you the
calculations you need to make
when you’re needing to change
between fractions, decimals and
percentages.

Let’s go through each

calculation one by one
and have a bit of a
practice.
Changing Fraction into Decimals
Here is how you do it:

Divide the numerator by the denominator.

5
5 ÷ 10 0.5
10

You have a go! Change these fractions into decimals:

2 1 13
5 4 50

How did you go? 0.4 0.25 0.26

Changing Percentages into Fractions
Here is how you do it:

Put the percentage over 100 and then simplify.

5 ÷ 10 5
50%
100 ÷ 10 10

It’s your turn now! Change these

percentages into fractions:

30% 25% 62%

How did you go? 3 1 31

10 4 50
Changing Decimals into Percentages
Here is how you do it:

Multiply by 100 or move the decimal point 2

places to the right. Add a % sign.

0.5 × 100
0.5 50%
or 0.50.

You can do it! Change these decimals into

percentages:

0.3 0.14 0.125

How did you go? 30% 14% 12.5%

Way to go!
You’re well on your way to becoming a Master of Comparing and Ordering Fractions,
Decimals and Percentages!

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But we’re not quite done…

Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Now that you know how to change between fractions, decimals and percentages, you can
change them all into the same form.
All decimals, all percentages or all fractions. It makes comparison easy as!

You can choose to convert

to whatever kinds of numbers are the most
logical.

But if you’re not sure…

Convert all the numbers to decimals and then

compare the decimals.

Let’s work out a problem together so

you can see what to do.
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Order these numbers in ascending order.
You’ve got it - ascending order means smallest to greatest.

Buddy Discussion: What does ascending order mean again?

Step 1:
Convert the numbers into decimal form and stack
them.
3
0.88 9%
10
0.88 0.09 0.8

The decimal stays Change these numbers into

the same. decimals. How are you going
to work them out? Check in
with your buddy.
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Step 1 continued… 0 . 8 8
Convert the numbers into decimal form and stack 9% 0 . 0 9
them.
4
0.88 9%
3 0 . 8 0
5
10
0.88 0.09 0.8

Step 2: Training Tip: Fill in

Write the original form of the number next to the any gaps with
decimal conversion. placeholder zeros.
This will save you any confusion later on!
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Step 3: Original Numbers
3
Compare the decimals working from left to 0.88 9%
10
right.
Ascending Order

Work from left to right

0 . 8 8 Smallest Greatest
9%
0 . 0 9
4
5 0 . 8 0

Training Tip: If the numbers are the same in

Which digit is the lowest in any column, move on to the next column to
the ones column? the right.
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Step 3 continued... Original Numbers
3
Compare the decimals working from left to 0.88 9%
10
right.
Ascending Order

Work from left to right 9%

0 . 8 8 Smallest Greatest
9%
0 . 0 9 Use the original number in your answer.
4 0.09 = 9%
5 0 . 8 0 Cross out the decimal.

Which digit is the lowest in The 0 is the lowest digit so 0.09 is the
the tenth column? smallest decimal.
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Step 3 continued... Original Numbers
3
Compare the decimals working from left to 0.88 9%
10
right.
Ascending Order

Work from left to right 9%

0 . 8 8 Smallest Greatest
9%
0 . 0 9
4
5 0 . 8 0

What do you do if the numbers are the same?

Which digit is the lowest in
the tenth column? Move on to the next column to the right.
Ordering Fractions, Decimals
and Percentages
Step 3 continued… Original Numbers
3
Compare the decimals working from left to 0.88 9%
10
right.
Ascending Order
4
Work from left to right 9% 0.88
5
0 . 8 8 Smallest Greatest
9%
0 . 0 9
4 Step 4
5 0 . 8 0 Use the original number in your answer. 0.80 = 4
5
Cross out the decimal.
Logically that means 0.88 is the greatest number.

Which digit is the lowest

in the hundredths The 0 is the lowest digit so 0.08 is the smallest
column? decimal.
 Let’s Go over the Steps

Step 1 Convert the numbers into decimal form and stack them.

Step 2 Write the original form of the number next to the decimal conversions.

Step 3 Compare the decimals working from left to right.

Step 4 Use the original numbers in your answer.

Don’t Forget! Pay attention to the order.

Greatest

Greatest

Smallest Smallest
Time to Practise Your Skills
Put these numbers in ascending order.

13 11
0.64 63% 0.45 46%
20 25

13 11
63% 0.64 0.45 46%
20 25
Smallest Greatest Smallest Greatest
Time to Practise Your Skills
Put these numbers in descending order.

1 3
0.132 35% 0.72 70%
8 4

1 3
35% 0.132 0.72 70%
8 4
Greatest Smallest Greatest Smallest
…Master of Comparing and Ordering Fractions,
Decimals and Percentages!
It’s official! You are a Master of Comparing and Ordering Fractions, Decimals and
Percentages.

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But like any athlete, don’t stop practising your skills!

Follow-up Activities

Quick Fire Revisions Grid Challenge

Common/Uncommon
Fraction, Decimal &
Percent Cards