Division with Decimals
Use written division methods in cases where the answer has up to two decimal places; divide decimals to hundredths by whole numbers
What a learner can do afterwards
- Compute 14.76 ÷ 4 using a written method to get 3.69
- Explain how to continue long division past the decimal point to obtain a decimal quotient
- Solve a context problem that requires dividing a decimal amount equally (e.g. sharing £18.60 among 5 people)
The lesson
You already know how to divide and land on a remainder, like 17 ÷ 4 = 4 remainder 1. Instead of stopping there, you can keep going. Add a decimal point and a zero after the number, then keep dividing to turn the remainder into a decimal.
Divide 17 by 4. First, 4 goes into 17 four times (4 × 4 = 16), leaving 1. Put a decimal point after the 17, then add a zero to make 10. Divide 10 by 4: it goes in 2 times (2 × 4 = 8), leaving 2. Add another zero to make 20. Divide 20 by 4: it goes in exactly 5 times. The answer is 4.25.
You can also divide a decimal number by a whole number. Take 14.76 ÷ 4. Divide as usual, but keep the decimal point in your answer lined up with the decimal point in 14.76. 4 goes into 14 three times, remainder 2. Bring down the 7 to make 27; 4 goes into 27 six times, remainder 3. Bring down the 6 to make 36; 4 goes into 36 nine times exactly. The answer is 3.69.
Line up the decimal point in your answer directly under the decimal point in the number you are dividing. If you run out of digits, add a zero and keep dividing.
To divide into a decimal, keep dividing past the remainder: add zeros and line up the decimal point.
Watch it
Where it sits
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.