Which number represents the smallest amount?

Which number represents the smallest amount?

• A. 3.26
• B. 0.54
• C. 89.00
• D. 0.09

Answer: (D)

When comparing decimal numbers, start with the most significant place where they differ and move rightward. Here, two numbers are less than 1 and two are much larger. Among the numbers less than 1, the one with the smaller tenths digit is smaller. 0.54 has a tenths digit of 5, while 0.09 has a tenths digit of 0, so 0.09 is smaller. Since the other two numbers are at least 3 and 89, they’re clearly larger than any number below 1. Therefore, the smallest amount is 0.09.

When comparing decimal numbers, start with the most significant place where they differ and move rightward. Here, two numbers are less than 1 and two are much larger. Among the numbers less than 1, the one with the smaller tenths digit is smaller. 0.54 has a tenths digit of 5, while 0.09 has a tenths digit of 0, so 0.09 is smaller. Since the other two numbers are at least 3 and 89, they’re clearly larger than any number below 1. Therefore, the smallest amount is 0.09.