Teaching Decimals

Teaching Decimals Need Better Teaching of Decimals? What would you say if I told you that you could learn decimals of math within few minutes — plus, keep the knowledge in the head?! You can start right now with this teaching of decimals here!   The decimal numbering system uses ten symbols called digits, each digit representing a number in math. These symbols are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The symbols are known as the numbers zero, one, two, three, etc. By using combinations of 10 symbols, an infinite amount of numbers can be created in math.

Teaching Decimals Addition and Subtraction of Decimals When adding or subtracting decimals, each number must be placed to align the decimal points. When necessary, zeros are used as place holders to make this possible. Then the operation of addition or subtraction is performed. Example: 0.423 + 1.562 + 0.0736 + 0.2 = First align decimal points Example: 0.832 – 0.0357 = Multiplying Decimals When multiplying decimals, the decimal points do not have to be aligned. Rather, it is important to accurately position the decimal point in the product. To position the decimal in the product, the total number of digits to the right of the decimals in the numbers being multiplied must be equal to the number of digits to the right of the decimal in the product. This is best illustrated in the following examples: Step 1: Multiply numbers without inserting decimal in the products. Step 2: Sum the number of digits to the right of the decimal in all of the numbers being multiplied. Step 3: Position the decimal in the product so the number of digits to the right of the decimal equals the total number of digits to the right of the decimal in the numbers multiplied (from Step 2). Example: 0.056 x 0.032 =   NOTE: Since 0.056 has three digits to the right of the decimal point, and 0.032 has three digits to the right of the decimal point, six digits must be to the right of the decimal point in the product. To have six digits in the product, zeros are inserted to the left of the computed digits. To multiply a decimal by 10, move the decimal point one position to the right. Example: 0.45 x 10 = 4.5. Similarly, when multiplying a decimal by 100, 1000, and 10,000, move the decimal point to the right the same number of zeros that are in the multiplier. Example: 0.45 x 100 = 45 0.45 x 1000 = 450 0.45 x 10,000 = 4500 The reverse is true when multiplying by fractions of 10. 0.45 x 0.1 = 0.045 0.45 x 0.01 = 0.0045 0.45 x 0.001 = 0.00045 0.45 x 0.0001 = 0.000045 Dividing Decimals When solving problems involving division of decimals, the following procedure should be applied. Step 1: Write out the division problem. Step 2: Move the decimal in the divisor to the right. Step 3: Move the decimal in the dividend the same number of places to the right. Add zeros after the decimal in the dividend if necessary. Step 4: Place the decimal point in the quotient directly above the decimal in the dividend. Step 5: Divide the numbers. Example: 3.00 ÷ 0.06

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