---
title: "Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1000"
description: "Multiply and divide whole numbers and those involving decimals by 10, 100, and 1000"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multiplying-and-dividing-by-10-100-and-1000-mt_LlMl2PbaZe
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multiplying-and-dividing-by-10-100-and-1000-mt_LlMl2PbaZe.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1000

Multiply and divide whole numbers and those involving decimals by 10, 100, and 1000

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Multiplication & Division · Ages 9 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multiplying-and-dividing-by-10-100-and-1000-mt_LlMl2PbaZe

## Ready when they can

- Calculate 3.45 × 100 = 345
- Calculate 72 ÷ 1000 = 0.072
- Explain that multiplying by 10 shifts each digit one place to the left

## Lesson: Multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1000

You already know that multiplying by 10 moves each digit one place to the left in the place-value chart. Multiplying by 100 moves every digit two places to the left, and multiplying by 1000 moves every digit three places to the left. This same rule works for decimal numbers, not just whole numbers.

*(drawing: Here are the digits of 3.45, with the decimal point marked, before we multiply.)*

**Example.** To multiply 3.45 by 100, move every digit two places to the left in the place-value chart. The 3 moves into the hundreds place, the 4 moves into the tens place, and the 5 moves into the ones place. The digits line up as 345.

**Example.** To divide 72 by 1000, move every digit three places to the right instead. The 7 moves into the hundredths place and the 2 moves into the thousandths place. The empty places get filled with zero, so 72 divided by 1000 equals 0.072.

**Tip.** Count the zeros in 10, 100, or 1000. That tells you how many places to shift. Multiplying shifts digits left and makes the number bigger. Dividing shifts digits right and makes the number smaller.

**Recap.** Multiplying shifts digits left and dividing shifts digits right, by as many places as the zeros in 10, 100, or 1000.

## Practice

17 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Dividing by 10 and 100](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/dividing-by-10-and-100-mt_kDMKJ5Ztt6)
- [Place Value × 10 Pattern](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/place-value-10-pattern-mt_QqG6IdmTSE)

## Opens up

- [Patterns with Powers of Ten](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/patterns-with-powers-of-ten-mt_HLUqHJ9Y7n)
- [Multiplying and dividing (age 10+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/multiplying-and-dividing-age-10-mt_wPgpMJ0-PA)
- [Converting measurement units (age 9+)](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/converting-measurement-units-age-9-mt_Zks8xyInSG)