Exercise 29 Page 718

We want to compare two decimal numbers. 5.89 ? 5.899 The whole number parts of both decimal numbers are the same. We will compare the decimal parts of the numbers, but first, we need to make sure that the decimal parts have the same number of digits. 5. 89 ? 5. 899 The number 5.89 has only two digits in a decimal part. We know that zeros that come after nonzero numbers that are after the decimal point, do not change the value of the number at all. Let's write one 0 at the end of the decimal number 5.89. 5. 89 0 ? 5. 899 Now, we can compare the decimals. Since 890 is less than 899, we know that 5.890 is less than 5.899. 5.890 < 5.899 ⇒ 5.890 < 5.89