Problem 157 - 1,001 GED Practice Questions For Dummies

Question

Which number equals 2 hundredths? (A) 0.2 (B) 0.02 (C) 0.002 (D) 200

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct answer is (B) 0.02, which represents 2 hundredths.

Step 1: Understand the Place Value of Decimals

Every digit in a number has a place value. In decimals, the first digit to the right of the decimal point is the tenths place. The second digit to the right of the decimal point is the hundredths place. This means that 0.1 is equal to 1 tenth and 0.01 is equal to 1 hundredth.

Step 2: Use this Understanding to Identify 2 Hundredths

Using the understanding from Step 1, it is clear that 2 hundredths will be represented as 0.02. This is because the 2 is in the hundredths place.

Step 3: Identify the Correct Answer based on the Options Given

In the given options, (A) 0.2 represents 2 tenths, (B) 0.02 represents 2 hundredths, (C) 0.002 represents 2 thousandths and (D) 200 is a whole number not a decimal place value. So, the answer is (B) 0.02 which equals 2 hundredths.

Key Concepts

Place Value of Decimals

Grasping the concept of decimal place values is fundamental in understanding how to work with decimals. Just as in the whole number system where each position to the left increases by a factor of 10 (such as units, tens, hundreds), in the decimal system, each position to the right of the decimal point decreases by a factor of 10 - tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on. For instance, in the number 0.35, the '3' is in the tenths place, meaning three tenths, while the '5' is in the hundredths place, meaning five hundredths. Remember, each step to the right means dividing by 10, so 0.3 is ten times larger than 0.03.

When we're talking about 2 hundredths, we're identifying a value that is two steps to the right of the decimal point: 0.02. To put this into a real-world context, if you had 0.02 dollars, you would have exactly 2 cents – as one cent is the hundredth part of a dollar. By consistently associating the place values with understandable quantity comparisons like money, it can become more intuitive to internalize these decimal concepts.

Understanding Decimals

Understanding decimals is not just about knowing the place values; it's also about context. For example, in the number 0.786, 7 represents 7 tenths, 8 represents 8 hundredths, and 6 represents 6 thousandths. When reading decimals out loud, we typically say 'point' and then read each digit individually. Understanding how to express these values verbally can enhance comprehension and accuracy when calculating or using them in real-world scenarios.

To deepen the understanding, let's look at comparing decimals. The value of a decimal number is determined by its highest place value which is not zero. So, in comparing 0.3, 0.34, and 0.304, the second number is the largest because '34' (or 'three tenths and four hundredths') is greater than '3' ('three tenths') and '304' ('three tenths and zero hundredths and four thousandths'). Breaking the numbers down in this way can make it clearer how to work with and compare decimals effectively.

GED Math Practice

When preparing for the Mathematics portion of the General Educational Development (GED) test, practice is key, particularly with fundamental concepts like decimals. Working through problems, much like the exercise provided, is an excellent way to get comfortable with decimal place values. It's recommended to tackle a broad range of decimal problems, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and word problems involving decimals.

In GED math practice, efforts should be made to:

• Use real-world scenarios to apply decimal knowledge. For example, dealing with monetary transactions helps relate decimal numbers to tangible situations.
• Practice converting between decimals and fractions to reinforce the relationship between these two formats.
• Time yourself on practice tests to improve speed and accuracy under exam conditions.
• Review mistakes to understand where misconceptions may lie.

The ultimate goal of these practices is to build both confidence and competence in handling questions about decimals, ensuring they become second nature for the test-taker.