Yes, 16.5 is smaller than 16.52. If you write the number with a digit in the hundredths column so you can more easily compare the two, it is clear that 16.50 is smaller than 16.52.
Yes, 16.5 is smaller than 16.52. By converting 16.5 to 16.50, we can easily compare it with 16.52. The comparison shows that 0 (in the hundredths place of 16.50) is less than 2 (in the hundredths place of 16.52).
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