Maryland Math 5.NOS.A.3.c
The Standard
- 5.NOS.A.3
- Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths.
Compare two decimals to thousandths by reasoning about the values of the digits and the location on the number line. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, <.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · UNDERSTAND THE PLACE VALUE SYSTEM.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare decimals by checking digits from left to right, starting with the ones place. They use a number line to check the order and record it with <, >, or =.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that 0.507 < 0.570 because the hundredths digits are the first to differ. They place both numbers on a number line and recognize that 0.5 = 0.500.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students say 0.507 > 0.57 because 507 is greater than 57. Others think adding zeros changes a decimal's value or put 0.509 to the right of 0.51.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to mark 0.506 and 0.509 on a number line from 0.50 to 0.51, then compare them with a symbol and explain their choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a paper number line from 0.40 to 0.41; have them mark thousandths and place 0.406 and 0.409.
Ask students to write why 0.700 is greater than 0.699, using the first place where the digits differ.
Give partners decimal cards; have them flip two, write a comparison, and name the first place where the digits differ.
Show race times of 12.407 and 12.470 seconds; have students compare them and explain which runner finished faster.
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Related Standards
- 2.NOS.A.4
Compare two numbers within 1000 by reasoning about the values of the hundreds, tens, and ones digits and/or the location of the numbers on a number line. Record...
- 3.NOS.A.1.d
Compare two whole numbers by reasoning about the values of the digits and the location of the numbers on a number line. Record the results of comparisons with t...
- 1.NOS.B.5
Compare two numbers within 100 by reasoning about values of tens and ones digits and the location of the numbers on a number line. Record the results of compari...
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