Is a decimal bigger than a whole number?

Number plays an important role in our life. People use numbers everywhere like counting or doing some calculations. People also use numbers for measurements. There is infinite use of numbers. Talking about a formal definition of Numbers. A number is a mathematical value used for counting or measuring or labeling objects. Numbers are used to performing arithmetic calculations. Before moving to the question, firstly know about different types of Numbers.

Types of Numbers

Now, let’s discuss one by one types in detail to engage with this beautiful theory,

• Natural Numbers: Counting numbers are called Natural Numbers, or, all the numbers starting from 1 are called natural numbers. They are denoted by N. Example: N: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,…
• Whole Numbers: Natural Numbers including zero (0) are called whole numbers. In brief, Numbers starting from zero ( 0 ) are whole numbers. They are denoted by W. Example, W: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …
• Integers: The numbers like, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, … are called integers. They are denoted by Z. Furthermore, Integers are of 3 types:

1. Positive Integers, e.g. 1, 2, 3, …
2. Negative Integers, e.g. -1, -2, -3, …
3. Zero Integers, e.g. 0

• Even Numbers: All the numbers which are completely divisible by 2 are called even numbers. They are denoted by E. Example, E: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …
• Odd Numbers: All the numbers which are not divisible by 2 are called odd numbers. They are denoted by O. Example, O: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …
• Composite Numbers: The numbers having more than two factors are called composite numbers. Example: 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, …
• Prime Numbers: The numbers having only two factors (1 & itself) are called prime numbers. Example: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, …
• Coprime Numbers: Two or more than two numbers having no common factors except 1 are called coprime numbers. Example: 2 & 3, 2 & 3 & 5, etc.
• Rational Numbers: The numbers which can be written in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers and q!=0 are called rational numbers. They are denoted by Q. Example, Q: 0, 1, 1/2, 4/3, -5/6,…
• Irrational Numbers: The numbers which cannot be written in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers and q!=0 are called irrational numbers. Example: pi, 0.10100100000000111111111110…
• Real Numbers: The collection of Rational and Irrational numbers are called Real numbers. Example, R: 0, 1, -2, 3/4, pi etc…
• Decimal number: A number whose whole number part and functional part are separated by a decimal point. Now, understand the whole number part and fractional part through an example. Example 3.7 (In this, 3 is the whole number part and dot is decimal and 7 is the fractional part). Other Examples 49.35, 54.894, etc.

Is a decimal bigger than a whole number?

Remember Whole numbers don’t contain 2.5, 3/5, etc. It means fractional and decimal numbers are not whole numbers. As discussed in many types of numbers, Resume the interesting question based on decimal and whole numbers.

Now, coming to the question, Is a decimal number bigger than a whole number? As discussed in the concept of whole and decimal numbers, One can guess now which number must be bigger or which one must be smaller. If the whole number and decimal number before the decimal are equal, then the decimal number is bigger. So, Let’s discuss it through various examples.

Firstly, one guessed whole numbers are always greater than decimal numbers. Suppose one has guessed what is right and let’s elaborate on it with the help of examples, which of the two is -2 or 0.4, then it is clear that 2 is greater and it is a whole number too. Let’s see another example, 4 or 2.54556, here also, 4 is a whole number and is greater.

Sample Problems

Question 1: Which is greater, 4 or 4.1?

Solution:

Now, 4.1 is greater but how it can possible. It is not whole number. It is not necessary if the whole number is not containing decimal so it would be larger in each and every case and decimal number on the other end would be smaller. 

Basically, It depends on the condition. Here, 4 is 4. It doesn’t contains anything extra in it but 4.1 is (4 + 0.1). It means it contains 0.5 extra in it. So it is greater in this.

Question 2: Which is greater, 51 or 54.56?

Solution:

In this case also, Although 51 is whole number, it is smaller and 54.56 on the other hand is greater than 51. It’s a simple analogy. One can compare in this way also like start comparing from left to right and one would get to know which one is smaller and which one is greater.

On the left side first it is 5 and 5 is same in both cases. Further, 1 comes in 51 and 4 comes in 54.55. Now obviously, 1 is smaller than 4. There is no need to compare beyond it in this case. it can be said 54.56 is greater.