What is the smallest number in this set: 0.5, 1.2, 0.75, 1.1?

The smallest number in the set is 0.5.

To determine the smallest number in a set, you need to compare each number to the others. In this set, we have the numbers 0.5, 1.2, 0.75, and 1.1. Let's compare them one by one.

First, compare 0.5 and 1.2. Since 0.5 is less than 1.2, 0.5 is smaller. Next, compare 0.5 with 0.75. Again, 0.5 is less than 0.75, so 0.5 remains the smallest. Finally, compare 0.5 with 1.1. Since 0.5 is less than 1.1, 0.5 is still the smallest number.

When comparing decimal numbers, start by looking at the digits to the left of the decimal point. If these are the same, then compare the digits to the right of the decimal point, one place at a time. In this case, 0.5 has a zero to the left of the decimal point, while the other numbers have either a one or a higher value to the right of the decimal point.

Therefore, by comparing each number in the set, we can clearly see that 0.5 is the smallest number.