Mixed operations with decimals

The order is the same as with whole numbers: brackets first, then × and ÷, then + and −, and steps at the same level from left to right. Do each step the decimal way: line up the points to add or take away; to multiply, multiply as whole numbers, then count the decimal places; to divide by a decimal, move both points right until the divisor is whole. 1.5 + 2.4 × 3: first 2.4 × 3 = 7.2, then 1.5 + 7.2 = 8.7. Shortcuts: the same number multiplied twice can be joined, 2.5 × 3.7 + 2.5 × 6.3 = 2.5 × (3.7 + 6.3) = 2.5 × 10 = 25; pairs such as 0.25 × 4 = 1 and 1.25 × 8 = 10 can be multiplied first. Check by estimating: 1.5 + 2.4 × 3 is about 2 + 2 × 3 = 8, so 8.7 makes sense.