Number DigitDecimal in the thousandths place
-0.120 in Words
-0.120 is a negative terminating decimal. It has 3 decimal places, and its final digit is in the thousandths place.
Direct Answer
-0.120 in words is negative zero point one two zero.
-0.120 has the same numerical value as -0.12, but it is written to the thousandths place.
-0.120 Place-Value Breakdown
The decimal digits place 1 in the tenth place, 2 in the hundredth place, and 0 in the thousandth place.
| Part | Digit | Place | Digit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole part | 0 | ones | 0 |
| Decimal part | 1 | tenth | 1/10 |
| Decimal part | 2 | hundredth | 2/100 |
| Decimal part | 0 | thousandth | 0/1000 |
What Kind of Decimal Is -0.120?
-0.120 is a negative terminating decimal. It is written to the thousandths place.
Written precision: the final 1 zero records precision even though removing it does not change the numerical value.
Expanded Form of -0.120
-0.120 = -(1/10 + 2/100)
-0.120 = -(0 + 120/1000)
-0.120 = -120/1000
The nonzero terms determine the numerical value, while the trailing zero preserves the written thousandths precision.
How -0.120 Simplifies to -3/25
-0.120 = -120/1000
The greatest common divisor of 120 and 1000 is 40.
-120 ÷ 40 = -3
1000 ÷ 40 = 25
Therefore, -120/1000 = -3/25.
-0.120 as a Percentage
To convert -0.120 to a percentage, multiply it by 100.
-0.120 × 100 = -12
Therefore, -0.120 = -12%.
A Familiar Fraction Equivalent
The reduced form -3/25 is a commonly used fraction. The decimal form is convenient for calculation, while the fraction shows the exact part-to-whole relationship.
Trailing Zeros and Written Precision
The final 1 zero does not change the numerical value, but it shows that -0.120 was written to the thousandths place.
How the Negative Sign Changes the Reading
Say "negative" once before the complete word form. The sign changes the direction and value, but it does not change the decimal places or the fraction-reduction steps.
-0.120 on a Number Line
-0.120 lies between -1 and 0. It is 0.88 above -1 and 0.12 below 0.
-0.120 Compared with Similar Decimals
| Decimal | Spoken form | Place-value form | Fraction | Percentage | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.012 | negative zero point zero one two | negative twelve thousandths | -3/250 | -1.2% | one tenth of -0.120 |
| -0.12 | negative zero point one two | negative twelve hundredths | -3/25 | -12% | same numerical value, fewer written decimal places |
| -0.120 | negative zero point one two zero | negative one hundred twenty thousandths | -3/25 | -12% | current value |
| -0.1200 | negative zero point one two zero zero | negative one thousand two hundred ten-thousandths | -3/25 | -12% | same numerical value, written to the ten-thousandths place |
| -1.2 | negative one point two | negative one and two tenths | -6/5 | -120% | ten times -0.120 |
Quick Practice
How is -0.120 read digit by digit?
Negative zero point one two zero.
What is the place-value word form of -0.120?
Negative one hundred twenty thousandths.
What fraction is -0.120 in lowest terms?
-3/25.
What percentage is equal to -0.120?
-12%.
What is the absolute value of -0.120?
0.120.
Between which whole numbers does -0.120 lie?
Between -1 and 0.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write -0.120 in words?
-0.120 in words is negative zero point one two zero.
Why is -0.120 called negative one hundred twenty thousandths?
There are 3 digits after the point, so the fractional part is expressed in thousandths. Read the complete value as negative one hundred twenty thousandths.
What fraction is -0.120?
-0.120 is -120/1000 exactly and -3/25 in lowest terms.
Can -120/1000 be simplified?
Yes. Divide its numerator and denominator by 40 to get -3/25.
What percentage is -0.120?
-0.120 is equal to -12%.
Is -0.120 the same as -0.1200?
Yes. -0.120 and -0.1200 have the same numerical value. However, -0.120 is written to the thousandths place, while -0.1200 is written to the ten-thousandths place and may communicate greater recorded precision.
Is -0.120 larger than -0.012?
No. Negative values reverse the comparison; -0.120 is ten times the value of -0.012.
What type of decimal is -0.120?
-0.120 is a negative terminating decimal. It is written to 3 decimal places and represents negative one hundred twenty thousandths.