Is .045 the same as 4.5?

NO !!!!

To compare decimals 0.045 & 4.5

Bring both number to the same number of decimal places by inserting suffix zeroes.

Hence

0.045 & 4.500 ( 3 d.p. in this case).

Drop the decimal point

0045 & 4500

Drop the prefix zeroes.

45 & 4500

I think you will agree that 45 < 4500.

Hence it follows that 0.045 < 4.5