Decimals - Vocabulary

The Year 4 curriculum introduces students to the world of decimals, starting with the basic concept that a decimal point separates a whole number from its fractional part. A decimal number, therefore, is one that comprises both a whole and a fractional part. For example, in the number 0.674, '0' is the whole part and '0.674' is the fractional part. The lesson further delves into tenths, which are ten times smaller than whole numbers, and hundredths, which are ten times smaller than tenths. The place value grid or chart is a key tool in this learning, helping students visualise the value of each digit in a decimal number.

Understanding decimals also involves recognising patterns in the number system, which can be aided by tools like the Gattegno chart and the Rekenrek, the latter being particularly useful for grasping the concept of hundredths. The curriculum covers how to order and compare decimal numbers, either by ascending or descending value, and introduces inequality symbols to express the relationships between numbers. Rounding decimals involves deciding whether a number is closer to one whole number or another. The vocabulary extends to include quarters and halves, with one quarter represented as 0.25 and one half as 0.50 in decimal form. Students are assessed on their grasp of these concepts, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of decimals and their place in mathematics.