Contents
Dividing a Decimal Fraction by a Whole number:
The following points should be kept in mind while dividing a decimal number by a whole number:
Step 1) Before considering the digit of the dividend that comes just after the decimal point, put a decimal point in the quotient and then proceed with the division.
Step 2) Zeros added after the fractional part of a decimal number, do not change the value of the decimal number.
For example, the value of 2.65 is the same as that of 2.650, 2.6500, 2.65000e etc.
So, add as many zeros as required for completing the division.
Step 3) Keeping in mind the above two points proceed with the division as in ordinary numbers.
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 1:
Divide 2.87 by 7.
Solution:
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 2:
Divide 0.96 by 4.
Solution:
Dividing a Decimal Number or a Whole Number by a Decimal Number:
When the divisor is a decimal number, convert the divisor into a whole number by multiplying both the dividend and the divisor by 10 or 100 or 1000, etc. as required and then proceed with the division.
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 3:
So the answer is that 12 1/2 as a decimal is 12.5.
Divide 0.186 by 0.03.
Solution:
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 4:
Divide 42 by 0.6.
Solution:
Dividing a Decimal Fraction by Numbers like 10, 100 and 1000 and their Multiples:
When a decimal fraction is divided by 10, it becomes 10 times smaller. The ones in the number reduce to tenths, the tenths reduce to hundredths, and so on. For division by 100, the number becomes 100 times smaller, and so on. So, the effect on the number is:
This is the opposite of what happens when a decimal fraction is multiplied by 10, 100,….
Zeros in divisor = 1. Point shifts left 1 place. Ones become tenths.
Zeros in divisor = 2. Point shifts left 2 places. Ones become hundredths.
Zeros in divisor = 3. Point shifts left 3 places. Ones become thousandths.
If the number of places to shift is more than the number of digits in the integral part, put zeros in front to make up for the difference. We can do this because 6.8 = 06.8 = 006.8…
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 5:
Divide 253.8 by 600.
Solution:
Dividing by a Decimal Fraction:
A division sum in which the divisor is a decimal fraction is changed to an equivalent sum in which the divisor is a whole number.
Note the number of decimal places in the divisor. Then shift the decimal point to the right that many places in both the numbers.
Division-Decimal Numbers Example 6:
Divide 2.4 by 1.2.
Solution: