A Peek Beyond the Point - Decimal Place Value

A decimal number consists of a whole number part and a fractional part, separated by a decimal point. For example, in $23.45$, $23$ is the whole number part and $45$ is the decimal part.

The place value system extends to the right of the decimal point: the first place is Tenths ($\frac{1}{10}$), the second is Hundredths ($\frac{1}{100}$), and the third is Thousandths ($\frac{1}{1000}$).

Decimals can be converted to fractions by writing the digits as the numerator and a power of $10$ (like $10, 100, 1000$) as the denominator, based on the number of decimal places.

To compare decimals, first compare the whole number parts. If they are equal, compare the digits in the tenths place, then the hundredths place, and so on.

When multiplying a decimal by $10, 100, \text{ or } 1000$, the decimal point moves to the right by as many places as there are zeros. Conversely, when dividing, the point moves to the left.

To multiply two decimals, multiply them as whole numbers and then place the decimal point such that the number of decimal places in the product is the sum of the decimal places in the numbers being multiplied.