Sticking to a Budget: Adding and Subtracting with Decimals

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Decimals are everywhere!

Each day, you come into contact with decimals on several occasions.

Take a few minutes to think about all the ways you have used decimals so far today. If it is early in the morning, think about all the ways you used decimals yesterday.

Decimals represent part of a whole number.

The easiest way to put this into perspective is to think of money.

A quarter is equal to $0.25. It is not enough to equal one whole dollar. Therefore, a quarter is part of $1.00.

Since decimals are a part of our currency, it is important to be able to add and subtract with decimals.

For step-by-step instructions that demonstrate how to add and subtract numbers with decimals, watch the Adding and Subtracting Decimals from toto.australis:

Next, practice with the problems below. Use scrap paper to set up your equations and solve them. Then, enter your answer:

• How did you do?

• Did you follow these steps?
  1. Line up the decimals.
  2. Pad with 0s.
  3. Solve.

If you can remember the steps, adding and subtracting with decimals is easy! When you are ready, continue on to the Got It? section to practice!