Number DigitDecimal in the tenths place
5.5 in Words
5.5 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It has 1 decimal place, and its final digit is in the tenths place.
Direct Answer
5.5 in words is five point five.
5.5 Place-Value Breakdown
The digits 5 form the whole-number part, while 5 in the tenth place.
| Part | Digit | Place | Digit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole part | 5 | ones | 5 |
| Decimal part | 5 | tenth | 5/10 |
What Kind of Decimal Is 5.5?
5.5 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It is written to the tenths place.
Expanded Form of 5.5
5.5 = 5 + 5/10
5.5 = 5 1/2
The final nonzero digit is in the tenths place, so its value is expressed with a denominator of 10.
How 5.5 Simplifies to 11/2
5.5 = 55/10
The greatest common divisor of 55 and 10 is 5.
55 ÷ 5 = 11
10 ÷ 5 = 2
Therefore, 55/10 = 11/2.
As a mixed fraction, the value is 5 1/2.
5.5 as a Percentage
To convert 5.5 to a percentage, multiply it by 100.
5.5 × 100 = 550
Therefore, 5.5 = 550%.
Decimals Equivalent to 5.5
5.5 = 5.50 = 5.500
Adding zeros to the right of a decimal does not change its numerical value. It does change the number of written decimal places and may communicate different precision.
| Decimal | Final place | Exact fraction | Simplified value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | tenths | 55/10 | 11/2 |
| 5.50 | hundredths | 550/100 | 11/2 |
| 5.500 | thousandths | 5500/1000 | 11/2 |
Why 5.5 Is Written to the Tenths Place
One digit follows the decimal point, so that digit counts tenths. In 5.5, the final digit 5 represents 5/10.
A Familiar Fraction Equivalent
The reduced form 11/2 is a commonly used fraction. The decimal form is convenient for calculation, while the fraction shows the exact part-to-whole relationship.
Whole Part and Fractional Part
This mixed decimal combines the whole part 5 with the fractional part 5/10. In place-value words, "and" marks that boundary.
5.5 on a Number Line
5.5 lies between 5 and 6. It is 0.5 below 6 and 0.5 above 5.
5.5 Compared with Similar Decimals
| Decimal | Spoken form | Place-value form | Fraction | Percentage | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.55 | zero point five five | fifty-five hundredths | 11/20 | 55% | ten times smaller than 5.5 |
| 5.5 | five point five | five and five tenths | 11/2 | 550% | current value |
| 5.50 | five point five zero | five and fifty hundredths | 11/2 | 550% | same numerical value, written to the hundredths place |
| 55.0 | fifty-five point zero | fifty-five | 55 | 5500% | ten times larger than 5.5 |
Quick Practice
How is 5.5 read digit by digit?
Five point five.
What is the place-value word form of 5.5?
Five and five tenths.
What fraction is 5.5 in lowest terms?
11/2.
What percentage is equal to 5.5?
550%.
What is 5.5 as a mixed fraction?
5 1/2.
Between which whole numbers does 5.5 lie?
Between 5 and 6.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write 5.5 in words?
5.5 in words is five point five.
Why is 5.5 called five and five tenths?
There are 1 digits after the point, so the fractional part is expressed in tenths. Read the complete value as five and five tenths.
What fraction is 5.5?
5.5 is 55/10 exactly and 11/2 in lowest terms.
Can 55/10 be simplified?
Yes. Divide its numerator and denominator by 5 to get 11/2.
What percentage is 5.5?
5.5 is equal to 550%.
Is 5.5 the same as 5.50?
Yes. 5.5 and 5.50 have the same numerical value. However, 5.5 is written to the tenths place, while 5.50 is written to the hundredths place and may communicate greater recorded precision.
Is 5.5 larger than 0.55?
Yes. 5.5 is ten times as large as 0.55.
What type of decimal is 5.5?
5.5 is a positive terminating decimal greater than 1. It is written to 1 decimal place and represents five and five tenths.