Use \( <^{\prime},>^{\prime} \) or \( { }^{\prime}= \) ' to compare the numbers. \( 6.288 \quad 6.869 \)

To compare the numbers \( 6.288 \) and \( 6.869 \), we can look at them digit by digit from left to right. 1. **Compare the whole number part**: Both numbers have the same whole number part, which is \( 6 \). 2. **Compare the tenths place**: - In \( 6.288 \), the tenths digit is \( 2 \). - In \( 6.869 \), the tenths digit is \( 8 \). - Since \( 2 < 8 \), we can conclude that \( 6.288 < 6.869 \). Thus, the comparison can be expressed as: \[ 6.288 < 6.869 \]