Question

You are given two numbers: 3.1 and 3.06

Figure out which one is smaller. Use a number line to visualize.

• A. 3.1
• B. 3.01
• C. 3.06

Answer 1

The correct option is C 3.06

Let's arrange the given numbers in place value table.
Place Value Table

O	.	t	h
3	.	1	0
3	.	0	6

While observing the tenths column, we find that one tenth is greater than zero tenth.

$\therefore$ 3.1 is greater than 3.06.

Also, we can mark these numbers on a number line for comparison.

3.1

3.1 has one tenth. Hence, it can be marked when the space between 3 and 4 is divided into 10 equal intervals.

$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{10}=0.1$

3.06

3.06 has six hundredths. Hence, it can be marked when space between 3 and 4 is divided into 100 equal parts, i.e., each interval length should have $\frac{1}{100}\text{unit}$.
For this,
we divide the space between 3 and 3.1 into 10 equal parts.
$\Rightarrow \frac{0.1}{10}=\frac{1}{100}=0.01$

Hence, 3.06 is smaller than 3.1.