Divide Decimals with Whole Numbers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Decimals can be a bit tricky to handle, especially when you’re dividing them by whole numbers. But don’t worry, with a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to do it like a pro! In this post, we’ll show you everything you need to know about dividing decimals by whole numbers. 😊
Source mathmonks.com
Why Divide Decimals by Whole Numbers?
You may be wondering why you would ever need to divide decimals by whole numbers. Well, there are actually a lot of situations where this comes in handy. For example, you might need to:
- Figure out how much each person gets if you’re splitting a bill at a restaurant
- Calculate how many miles you can drive on a gallon of gas
- Determine the concentration of a solution
- Convert between different units of measurement
Step 1: Multiply the Divisor by 10, 100, or 1000
The first step is to multiply the divisor (the whole number) by 10, 100, or 1000. This will move the decimal point over one, two, or three places to the right.
For example, if the divisor is 5, you would multiply it by 100 to get 500. This moves the decimal point two places to the right.
Step 2: Multiply the Dividend by the Same Number
Next, you need to multiply the dividend (the decimal) by the same number that you multiplied the divisor by. This will keep the value of the expression the same.
In our example, we would multiply the dividend by 100 to get 12.5.
Step 3: Perform the Division
Now, you can simply perform the division as you would with any other division problem. Divide the dividend by the divisor, and the result is your answer.
In our example, we would divide 12.5 by 500 to get 0.025.
Step 4: Move the Decimal Point
Finally, you need to move the decimal point in your answer over the same number of places that you moved it over in step 1. In our example, we would move the decimal point two places to the left to get 0.025.
Example
Let’s look at a more complex example. Suppose you want to divide 12.6 by 2.
Step 1: Multiply the Divisor by 10
2 * 10 = 20
Step 2: Multiply the Dividend by the Same Number
12.6 * 10 = 126
Step 3: Perform the Division
126 / 20 = 6.3
Step 4: Move the Decimal Point
6.3
So, 12.6 divided by 2 is 6.3.
Tips
- If the divisor is a multiple of 10, you can simply move the decimal point in the dividend over the same number of places as there are zeros in the divisor. For example, if the divisor is 50, you would move the decimal point in the dividend two places to the left.
- If the dividend has a decimal point, you can simply ignore it until step 3.
- If the answer has a decimal point, you can round it to the nearest hundredth, thousandth, or ten-thousandth, as needed.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to dividing decimals by whole numbers! With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to do it quickly and easily.
If you’re looking for more information on decimals, be sure to check out our other articles:
FAQ about Dividing Decimals with Whole Numbers
1. How do I divide a decimal by a whole number?
Answer:
- Simply move the decimal point in the dividend (the number being divided) to the right by the same number of places as there are zeros in the divisor (the whole number).
- Then, divide the resulting decimal by the divisor.
2. What if the divisor has no zeros?
Answer:
- Add a decimal point and one or more zeros to the end of the divisor.
- Then, follow the steps for dividing a decimal by a whole number.
3. Can I use long division for decimals?
Answer:
- Yes, you can use the same long division algorithm you would use for whole numbers.
- However, you need to include the decimal points in both the dividend and divisor.
4. What do I do if the division does not come out evenly?
Answer:
- Simply continue dividing, adding zeros to the end of the dividend as needed.
- Your answer will be a decimal that may or may not terminate.
5. What if the dividend does not have enough decimal places?
Answer:
- Add zeros to the end of the dividend before moving the decimal point.
- This will ensure that the division can be performed accurately.
6. Can I use a calculator to divide decimals with whole numbers?
Answer:
- Yes, calculators can be used to perform decimal division quickly and easily.
- However, it is still important to understand the steps involved in the process.
7. How can I check my answer?
Answer:
- Multiply your answer by the divisor to get the original dividend.
- If you get the same number, your answer is correct.
8. What is an example of dividing a decimal by a whole number?
Answer:
- Divide 3.24 by 4:
3.24 ÷ 4 = 0.81
9. How do I divide a decimal by a whole number with a remainder?
Answer:
- Follow the steps for dividing a decimal by a whole number.
- If there is a remainder, it will be expressed as a fraction or a repeating decimal.
10. Can I divide fractions with whole numbers?
Answer:
- Yes, you can divide fractions with whole numbers by first converting the whole number to a fraction.
- For example, to divide 3/4 by 2, convert 2 to 8/4 and then divide:
3/4 ÷ 8/4 = 3/8
