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Maths Adventures

Jungle maths quest: decimals

A story-led junior maths adventure using bridges, vines and hidden temples to measure small distances, money and scores with tenths and hundredths.

Quick answer

Decimals are numbers that are less than one whole, like 0.5 or 0.25. In a Jungle Maths Quest, you might need to measure vines that are 0.7 metres long or count 0.3 of a treasure chest full of coins.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to use decimals to show parts of a whole, like measuring small lengths or counting small amounts of money, and you will be able to read, write, and compare simple decimal numbers up to two decimal places.

Why this matters

Decimals help us measure and count things that are not whole numbers. In your jungle adventure, you might need to know that a vine is 0.6 metres long or that you have 0.25 of a treasure map. Decimals are used in cooking (like 0.5 teaspoon of salt), shopping (like £2.99), and even in games and sports (like scoring 0.8 of a goal). Understanding decimals helps you make better sense of the world around you.

How it works

Decimals are a way to show parts of a whole number. The decimal point separates the whole number part from the fractional part. For example, in 0.4, the 0 is the whole part and the 4 is the fractional part. Each digit after the decimal point has a special name:
  • The first digit after the decimal point is called the tenths place
  • The second digit is called the hundredths place
To read 0.4, say "zero point four" or "four tenths". To read 0.25, say "zero point two five" or "twenty-five hundredths".

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are on a jungle quest and you need to measure different things. Example 1: Measuring vines You find a vine that is 0.6 metres long. This means it is 6 tenths of a metre long.
  • 0.1 = 1 tenth
  • 0.2 = 2 tenths
  • 0.3 = 3 tenths
  • 0.4 = 4 tenths
  • 0.5 = 5 tenths
  • 0.6 = 6 tenths
Example 2: Counting coins You find a treasure chest with 0.75 of a gold coin. This means 75 hundredths of a coin.
  • 0.01 = 1 hundredth
  • 0.02 = 2 hundredths
  • 0.03 = 3 hundredths
  • 0.04 = 4 hundredths
  • 0.05 = 5 hundredths
  • 0.06 = 6 hundredths
  • 0.07 = 7 hundredths
  • 0.08 = 8 hundredths
  • 0.09 = 9 hundredths
  • 0.10 = 10 hundredths = 0.1 = 1 tenth
  • 0.25 = 25 hundredths
Example 3: Sharing food You and your friend are sharing a chocolate bar. Each piece is 0.25 of the bar.
  • 0.25 = 25 hundredths of the bar
  • 0.50 = 50 hundredths of the bar = half the bar
  • 0.75 = 75 hundredths of the bar

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Jungle Treasure Hunt You are on a quest to find a hidden temple in the jungle. To find it, you must solve a riddle:
  • “The vine is 0.4 metres long. The bridge is 0.6 metres wide. The temple is 0.3 metres from the river.”
You must measure and record these distances to find the right path. Step-by-step challenge:
  • 1st time: Measure a vine that is 0.4 metres long. Draw it and write 0.4
  • 2nd time: Measure a bridge that is 0.6 metres wide. Draw it and write 0.6
  • 3rd time: Measure how far the temple is from the river – 0.3 metres. Draw it and write 0.3
  • 4th time: Compare all three distances. Which is longest? Which is shortest?
Real-world connection: Think about how you might use decimals in your everyday life:
  • When you buy a drink that costs 99p, that’s 0.99 of a pound
  • When you have 3 quarters of a pizza, you have 0.75 of a pizza
  • When you measure your height, it might be 1.25 metres

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 0.5 is the same as 0.50
    Why it happens: Confusing the decimal point with place value
    Fix: Remember that 0.5 and 0.50 are the same amount, just written differently
  • Mistake: Reading 0.08 as "eight tenths"
    Why it happens: Not understanding the place value of the digits
    Fix: 0.08 is eight hundredths, not eight tenths
  • Mistake: Comparing 0.2 and 0.15 by looking at the first digit only
    Why it happens: Not understanding that 0.2 is 0.20, so 0.20 is more than 0.15
    Fix: Add a zero to 0.2 to make it 0.20, then compare

Parent and carer guide

How to help your child at home:
  • Use everyday objects to show decimals. For example, use a ruler to show 0.5 cm or 0.25 cm
  • Play games like "Decimal Hunt" where you look for decimals in magazines, books, or on packaging
  • Use money to show decimals: 50p = 0.50 pounds
  • Encourage your child to write decimals in different ways: 0.3 = 3 tenths = 30 hundredths
  • Ask your child to compare decimals using visual aids like number lines or fraction circles
What not to worry about:
  • Children may mix up place values at first – this is normal
  • They might write 0.5 as 0.500 – this is also normal and shows they are thinking about place value

Practice questions

  1. Write 0.7 as a fraction of a whole
  2. Which is bigger: 0.6 or 0.55?
  3. How many hundredths are in 0.4?
  4. Write 0.25 as a fraction
  5. Compare 0.3 and 0.30
Answers:
  1. 0.7 = 7 tenths
  2. 0.6 is bigger
  3. 0.4 = 40 hundredths
  4. 0.25 = 25 hundredths = 25/100 = 1/4
  5. 0.3 and 0.30 are the same

FAQ

What is a decimal?

A decimal is a number that shows parts of a whole, like 0.5 or 0.25. It uses a decimal point to separate the whole number from the parts.

How do I read decimals?

You read decimals by saying the digits followed by their place value. For example, 0.4 is "zero point four" or "four tenths".

How are decimals used in real life?

Decimals are used in money (like £2.99), measurements (like 0.5 metres), and cooking (like 0.25 teaspoon).

What is the difference between tenths and hundredths?

Tenths are parts of a whole divided into 10 equal parts, and hundredths are parts of a whole divided into 100 equal parts. For example, 0.1 = 1 tenth, and 0.01 = 1 hundredth.

How can I help my child learn decimals at home?

You can use everyday items like coins, rulers, or food to show decimals. Ask your child to compare decimals or write them in different forms.