Dividing Decimals
Learning Outcomes
- Divide a decimal by a whole number
- Divide a decimal by another decimal
- Divide a whole number by a decimal
Divide a decimal by a whole number.
- Write as long division, placing the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
- Divide as usual.
example
Divide: [latex]0.12\div 3[/latex]. Solution[latex]0.12\div 3[/latex] | |
Write as long division, placing the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. | |
Divide as usual. Since [latex]3[/latex] does not go into [latex]0[/latex] or [latex]1[/latex] we use zeros as placeholders. | |
[latex]0.12\div 3=0.04[/latex] |
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[ohm_question]146600[/ohm_question]example
In everyday life, we divide whole numbers into decimals—money—to find the price of one item. For example, suppose a case of [latex]24[/latex] water bottles cost [latex]$3.99[/latex]. To find the price per water bottle, we would divide [latex]$3.99[/latex] by [latex]24[/latex], and round the answer to the nearest cent (hundredth). Divide: [latex]$3.99\div 24[/latex].Answer: Solution
[latex]$3.99\div 24[/latex] | |
Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. | |
Divide as usual. When do we stop? Since this division involves money, we round it to the nearest cent (hundredth). To do this, we must carry the division to the thousandths place. | |
Round to the nearest cent. | [latex]$0.166\approx $0.17[/latex] |
[latex]$3.99\div 24\approx $0.17[/latex] |
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[ohm_question]145993[/ohm_question]Divide a Decimal by Another Decimal
So far, we have divided a decimal by a whole number. What happens when we divide a decimal by another decimal? Let’s look at the same multiplication problem we looked at earlier, but in a different way. [latex-display]\left(0.2\right)\left(4\right)=0.8[/latex-display] Remember, again, that a multiplication problem can be rephrased as a division problem. This time we ask, "How many times does [latex]0.2[/latex] go into [latex]0.8\text{?"}[/latex] Because [latex]\left(0.2\right)\left(4\right)=0.8[/latex], we can say that [latex]0.2[/latex] goes into [latex]0.8[/latex] four times. This means that [latex]0.8[/latex] divided by [latex]0.2[/latex] is [latex]4[/latex]. [latex-display]0.8\div 0.2=4[/latex-display] We would get the same answer, [latex]4[/latex], if we divide [latex]8[/latex] by [latex]2[/latex], both whole numbers. Why is this so? Let’s think about the division problem as a fraction. [latex-display]\begin{array}{c}\frac{0.8}{0.2}\\ \\ \frac{\left(0.8\right)10}{\left(0.2\right)10}\\ \\ \frac{8}{2}\\ \\ 4\end{array}[/latex-display] We multiplied the numerator and denominator by [latex]10[/latex] and ended up just dividing [latex]8[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex]. To divide decimals, we multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same power of [latex]10[/latex] to make the denominator a whole number. Because of the Equivalent Fractions Property, we haven’t changed the value of the fraction. The effect is to move the decimal points in the numerator and denominator the same number of places to the right. We use the rules for dividing positive and negative numbers with decimals, too. When dividing signed decimals, first determine the sign of the quotient and then divide as if the numbers were both positive. Finally, write the quotient with the appropriate sign. It may help to review the vocabulary for division:Divide decimal numbers
- Determine the sign of the quotient.
- Make the divisor a whole number by moving the decimal point all the way to the right. Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places to the right, writing zeros as needed.
- Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
- Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.
example
Divide: [latex]-2.89\div \text{(}3.4\text{)}[/latex].Answer: Solution
Determine the sign of the quotient. | The quotient will be negative. |
Make the divisor the whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right. 'Move' the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places to the right. | |
Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. Add zeros as needed until the remainder is zero. | |
Write the quotient with the appropriate sign. | [latex]-2.89\div \left(3.4\right)=-0.85[/latex] |
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[ohm_question]146601[/ohm_question]example
Divide: [latex]-25.65\div \text{(}-0.06\text{).}[/latex]Answer: Solution
[latex]-25.65\div \left(-0.06\right)[/latex] | |
The signs are the same. | The quotient is positive. |
Make the divisor a whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right. 'Move' the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places. | |
Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. | |
Write the quotient with the appropriate sign. | [latex]-25.65\div \left(-0.06\right)=427.5[/latex] |
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[ohm_question]146604[/ohm_question]example
Divide: [latex]4\div 0.05[/latex].Answer: Solution
[latex]4\div 0.05[/latex] | |
The signs are the same. | The quotient is positive. |
Make the divisor a whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right. Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places, adding zeros as needed. | |
Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. | |
Write the quotient with the appropriate sign. | [latex]4\div 0.05=80[/latex] |
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[ohm_question]146607[/ohm_question]Licenses & Attributions
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- Question ID 146607, 146604, 146601,146600. Authored by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
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- License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright.
- Ex: Dividing Signed Decimals. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex: Determine the Quotient of a Whole Number and Decimal using Base Ten Blocks. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
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