Dividing decimals; fractions to decimals · Usually met around P6
Decimals ÷10, ÷100, ÷1000
Each zero moves the point one place left.
How to do it
Method
Each zero moves the point one place left
325 ÷ 100 = 32.5 ÷ 10 = 3.25
Another way
Move the digits
Each ÷10 moves every digit down a place: 325 ÷ 100 = 3.25
In full
÷10, ÷100 and ÷1000 move the point one, two and three places to the left: 325 ÷ 100 = 3.25. In a whole number, the point sits at the end. For 7 ÷ 1000, move it three places left from after the 7, filling in zeros at the front → 0.007. Zeros at the end of a decimal aren't written: 40 ÷ 100 = 0.40 = 0.4. Another way to see it: each ÷10 moves every digit down one place.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
16 ÷ 10
Show the answer and working
Answer: 16 ÷ 10 = 1.6
16 ÷ 10: 16 is whole, so its point sits at the end; ÷10 moves the point one place left, 16 ÷ 10 = 1.6
Example 2
2.11 ÷ 10
Show the answer and working
Answer: 2.11 ÷ 10 = 0.211
2.11 ÷ 10: ÷10 moves the point one place left, filling in zeros at the front, 2.11 ÷ 10 = 0.211
Example 3
0.9 ÷ 100
Show the answer and working
Answer: 0.9 ÷ 100 = 0.009
0.9 ÷ 100: ÷100 moves the point two places left, filling in zeros at the front, 0.9 ÷ 100 = 0.009
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