Definition of Like Decimals with Examples and Comparison Steps
One of the number types in algebra with a whole integer and a fractional portion separated by a decimal point is a decimal. The decimal point is the dot between the parts of a whole number and a fraction. An example of a decimal number is 34.5. In this case, the whole number part is 34, and the fractional part is 5.
What are Decimal Components?
A decimal number is a number in which two sets of numbers are separated by a decimal.
A decimal number has two components: an integer part and a fractional part. On the left side of the decimal, it is the integer part and on the right side of the decimal, it is the fractional part.
Integers are those values of the whole numbers which can be a positive or negative numbers.
Decimals
Types of Decimals
Decimals are of two types which are discussed below:
Like decimals
Unlike decimals
Like Decimals:
1. Like Decimals Definition
Two decimal numbers with the same number of decimal places are said to be "like" decimal numbers. For example, $4.12$ and $1.55$ have two decimal places, so they are Like decimal.
Like Decimals
Unlike Decimal: Two or more decimal numbers are said to be unlike decimal numbers if they have a dissimilar number of digits after the decimal point. For example, $2.6$ and $4.55$ are not Like decimals; they are unlike decimals because they have different numbers of decimal places.
Unlike Decimals
What are Like Decimals?
A decimal or set of decimals or decimals with the same decimal places are similar decimals. That is, if all decimal places in a set of decimals have the same number of digits to the right of the decimal point, then that set of numbers is said to be decimal-like.
Like Decimal
Properties of Like Decimals
Like decimals have an equal number of digits after decimals.
We can get like decimal from unlike decimal.
Digits after the decimal point like decimal might not be the same, they can be different.
How to Convert Unlike Decimals to Like Decimals?
Find the decimal point with the most decimal places.
Now, we will add zeros to the right of the last digit of the fractional part to form another specified number of decimal places with the same number of decimal places as the highest number of decimal places.
You need to do this because adding zeros to the right of the decimal places doesn't change the decimal value.
Converting Unlike to Like Decimal
Solved Examples
1. Check whether the following decimal is like decimals or unlike decimals.
(i) 2.45 and 6.2345
(ii) 2.34 and 2.55
(iii) 4.12 and 6.43
(iv) 3.12 and 2.111
(v) 2.90 and 1.11111
Solution:
i) 2.45 and 6.2345
The above-given decimal 2.45 has two decimal places and 6.2345 has four decimal places. Since both decimals do not have the same decimal places, they are unlike decimals.
ii ) 2.34 and 2.55
Both decimals have the same digit after decimal places, so they are like decimals.
iii) 4.12 and 6.43
Like decimals as the same number of digits after the decimal.
iv) 3.12 and 2.111
Unlike decimals, they do not have the same number of digits after the decimal.
v) 2.90 and 1.11111,
Unlike decimals, both decimals have different numbers of digits.
2. Give some examples of like decimals and unlike decimals.
Answer: Some Examples of like decimals are 3.65, 9.53, and 6.42.
Some Examples of unlike decimals are 3.76, 9.0888, and 1.2.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned that decimals are numbers that lie between integers. They are simply another way to represent fractions. We can write more precise values of measurable quantities such as length, weight, distance, money, etc using decimals. The numbers to the left of the decimal point are integers or whole numbers, while the numbers to the right are decimal fractions.
FAQs on Like Decimals in Mathematics
1. What are like decimals?
Like decimals are decimal numbers with the same number of digits after the decimal point. This means their decimal places match, making them easy to compare or add and subtract.
- Example: 3.45 and 7.89 are like decimals (both have two decimal places).
- Example: 2.3 and 4.56 are not like decimals (one has one decimal place, the other has two).
2. How do you identify like decimals?
You identify like decimals by checking whether they have the same number of digits after the decimal point. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Count the digits to the right of the decimal point.
- Step 2: Compare the counts for each number.
- Step 3: If the counts are equal, they are like decimals.
3. What is the difference between like and unlike decimals?
The difference is that like decimals have the same number of decimal places, while unlike decimals have different numbers of decimal places.
- Like decimals: 4.56 and 7.89 (two decimal places each).
- Unlike decimals: 3.4 and 5.678 (one and three decimal places).
4. How do you convert unlike decimals into like decimals?
You convert unlike decimals into like decimals by adding zeros to the right of the decimal without changing the value.
- Step 1: Identify the decimal with the most decimal places.
- Step 2: Add zeros to the other decimals until they match.
- Example: Convert 3.4 and 5.678 → write 3.4 as 3.400.
5. Why are like decimals important in addition and subtraction?
Like decimals are important because they allow you to align decimal points correctly for accurate addition and subtraction.
- Write numbers so the decimal points are in one vertical line.
- Add or subtract as with whole numbers.
6. Can you give an example of adding like decimals?
An example of adding like decimals is 2.35 + 4.12 = 6.47.
- Step 1: Align the decimal points.
- Step 2: Add digits from right to left.
- Step 3: Place the decimal point directly below.
7. Can you give an example of subtracting like decimals?
An example of subtracting like decimals is 7.86 − 2.34 = 5.52.
- Step 1: Align decimal points vertically.
- Step 2: Subtract digits from right to left.
- Step 3: Keep the decimal point in line.
8. Do trailing zeros change the value of a decimal number?
Trailing zeros to the right of a decimal do not change its value.
- Example: 5.4 = 5.40 = 5.400.
- The value remains the same because zeros after the last non-zero digit do not affect place value.
9. How do you compare like decimals?
To compare like decimals, compare digits from left to right starting at the whole number part.
- Step 1: Compare whole numbers.
- Step 2: If equal, compare tenths, then hundredths, and so on.
- Example: Between 4.56 and 4.52, compare hundredths: 6 > 2, so 4.56 is greater.
10. What are common mistakes when working with like decimals?
A common mistake when working with like decimals is not aligning the decimal points correctly.
- Forgetting to line up decimal points before addition or subtraction.
- Ignoring place value while comparing digits.
- Thinking trailing zeros change the number’s value.
