Dividing Decimals Lesson: Definition, Methods, Tables, and Applications

Lesson Overview

• Vocabulary to Know
• Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
• Dividing Decimals by Decimals
• Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• Real-Life Applications of Decimal Division

This lesson is designed to help you fully understand how decimal division works and to prepare you to succeed. You will learn how to divide a decimal by a whole number and how to divide one decimal by another. You'll also explore strategies, examples, and real-life connections to make this topic easier and more interesting.

Decimals are numbers that include a decimal point. They are useful for showing values smaller than one, like money or measurements. When we divide decimals, we are finding out how many times one number fits into another, just like in whole-number division-but with a few more steps.

Vocabulary to Know

Before we dive into examples and methods, let's understand the key terms:

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

Let's start with dividing a decimal by a whole number. This is the simpler of the two main types of decimal division.

Steps to Follow:

1. Set up the long division: Place the dividend (the decimal number) inside the division box and the divisor (whole number) outside.
2. Bring up the decimal point: Place the decimal point in the answer (quotient) directly above where it is in the dividend.
3. Divide as usual: Ignore the decimal point while dividing the digits.
4. Bring down digits and continue dividing: Add a zero if needed to complete the division.

Take This Quiz-

Dividing Decimals Practice Quiz

Example 1:

Problem: 12 ÷ 4

Solution:
We divide 12 by 4 and get 3.

Now let's try it with a decimal:

Example 2:

Problem: 1.2 ÷ 4

Solution:

• Set it up: 4 ⟌ 1.2
• Place the decimal point in the quotient.
• 4 goes into 12 three times.
• Answer: 0.3

Dividing Decimals by Decimals

This is a more advanced step and requires one more action-removing the decimal from the divisor.

Steps to Follow:

1. Make the divisor a whole number: Multiply both the divisor and the dividend by 10, 100, or 1000 depending on how many places are after the decimal point.
2. Rewrite the problem: Now divide as if you're dividing by a whole number.
3. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the new position in the dividend.
4. Complete the division as you would normally.

Example 3:

Problem: 0.48 ÷ 0.2

Step 1: Multiply both numbers by 10 → 4.8 ÷ 2
Step 2: Divide → 2 goes into 4 two times, and into 8 four times.
Answer: 2.4

Example 4:

Problem: 0.132 ÷ 0.22
Multiply both by 100 → 13.2 ÷ 22
Now divide:
22 goes into 132 six times → 0.6
Answer: 0.6

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Real-Life Applications of Decimal Division

Understanding how to divide decimals is useful in many everyday situations.

Example Scenarios:

• Money: You have $8.40 and want to divide it equally among 4 friends. Each gets $2.10.
• Cooking: You need 0.5 liters of oil for each recipe. How many full recipes can you make with 2.5 liters? → 2.5 ÷ 0.5 = 5 recipes.
• Shopping: A pack of 10 pens costs $4.90. What is the price per pen? → 4.90 ÷ 10 = $0.49

Mastering dividing decimals takes focus and practice, but once you understand the process, it becomes a reliable skill for math class and real life. Use this guide as a reference whenever you're practicing or preparing for a test.

Take This Quiz-

Do You Know Dividing Decimals? Quiz