Decimal Dividing Dynamite

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Alright, math adventurer — dive into the world of decimal division!

Why Divide by Decimals?

• Have you ever wondered how to split 12 pizzas into half-pizza slices or split $25 between friends, getting $1.25 each?

Dividing by decimals helps you break down real-life scenarios like these. And here’s a secret: it’s easier than it sounds!

Quick Tip: Decimals are just fractions in disguise!

0.6 means 6 tenths or 6 out of 10 parts or ⁶/₁₀.

0.25 means 25 hundredths or 25 out of 100 parts or ²⁵/₁₀₀.

That’s because the first place after the decimal point is called the tenths place, and the second place after the decimal is called the hundredths place.

• Knowing this makes decimal division feel a little less mysterious, right?

Dividing Whole Numbers by Decimals

• How would you solve 36 ÷ 0.6?

Whoa, decimals! Don't worry. Here's the trick.

Step 1: Move the decimal in the divisor.

Shift the decimal in 0.6 one place to the right to make it a whole number: 6.

Step 2: Do the same to the dividend.

Move the decimal in 36 one place to the right, turning it into 360.

Step 3: Divide as usual.

Now it’s just 360 ÷ 6 = 60.

Give it a try!

• How would you solve 45 ÷ 0.5?

Go through the steps.

1. Move the decimal point in the divisor (0.5) one place to the right to make it a whole number (5).

2. Move the decimal point in the dividend (45) to the same number of places on the right. (Remember. there is always an invisible decimal at the end of a whole number: 45.0.)

3. Divide as usual. (450 ÷ 5 = 90)

Practice your new skills with this video!

Remember this shortcut: D.M.D – Decimal Moves to the Right.

D for Decimal: Find the decimal in the divisor.

M for Move: Move the decimal right to make a whole number.

D for Do the same: Move the decimal in the dividend the same way. Then divide as usual!

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

Now, let's flip things around.

• What if you had to solve 0.36 ÷ 6?

No worries. Here's how.

Step 1: Set up the problem.

Start by writing the decimal (dividend) under the division bar and the whole number (divisor) outside it.

Step 2: Divide as usual.

Now, divide as if there were no decimals! Begin dividing the leftmost digit and move right, bringing down digits one at a time if needed.

Start with the first digit. 6 doesn’t fit into 0, so move to the next part, 3.

6 doesn't fit into 3 either, so add the next digit, making it 36.

• How many times does 6 fit into 36?

6 goes into 36 exactly 6 times, so write 6 above the division bar.

Step 3: Place the decimal.

Since the decimal is in 0.36, place it directly above in your answer. The decimal in your answer should align with the decimal in the dividend.

Remember to add 0 placeholders if necessary.

So, 0.36 ÷ 6 = 0.06.

Practice Makes Perfect!

The more you practice these steps, the more confident you'll get.

Watch this video to help cement your new skills.

• Are you ready to divide and conquer your new decimal skills?

Zoom to the Got It? section to test your knowledge of dividing by decimals!