Dividing decimals by decimals might seem a bit intimidating at first, but with the right approach and a clear understanding of the process, it becomes a simple task. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to divide a decimal by another decimal using easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
How to Divide a Decimal by a Decimal
Step 1: Understand the Problem
When dividing decimals, it’s crucial to comprehend the problem at hand. Let’s take an example to illustrate the process:
Example: Divide 6.2 by 0.5
Here, we need to divide the decimal number 6.2 by another decimal number, 0.5.
Step 2: Convert the Divisor into a Whole Number
Before dividing, we need to transform the divisor (the number we’re dividing by) into a whole number. We do this by moving the decimal point to the right until it becomes a whole number. Keep track of the number of places you move the decimal point.
In our example, we need to move the decimal point in the divisor (0.5) one place to the right to make it a whole number:
0.5 → 5
We moved the decimal point one place to the right.
Step 3: Apply the Same Shift to the Dividend
Now that we’ve converted the divisor into a whole number, we need to apply the same shift to the dividend (the number being divided). In our example, the dividend is 6.2. Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places you moved it in the divisor.
6.2 → 62
We moved the decimal point one place to the right, just as we did with the divisor.
Step 4: Divide the Transformed Numbers
Now that both the dividend and the divisor are whole numbers, we can proceed to divide them. Using long division or any other division method you’re comfortable with, divide the transformed dividend by the transformed divisor:
62 ÷ 5
When you perform the division, you will get:
12.4 (quotient)
Step 5: Interpret the Result
The quotient obtained in the previous step is the result of the original decimal division problem. In our example, when we divided 6.2 by 0.5, we got the answer:
6.2 ÷ 0.5 = 12.4
Recap and Tips for Dividing Decimals by Decimals
- Understand the problem: Identify the dividend (the number being divided) and the divisor (the number you’re dividing by).
- Convert the divisor into a whole number by moving the decimal point to the right as many places as necessary.
- Apply the same shift to the dividend, moving the decimal point the same number of places to the right.
- Divide the transformed numbers using your preferred division method.
- Interpret the result, which is the solution to the original decimal division problem.
Remember that practice is key to mastering decimal division. Keep working through problems using these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll become an expert at dividing decimals by decimals in no time.