Decimal Division

Dividing with decimals can seem tricky, but it becomes straightforward once you know the trick: remove the decimal from the divisor by multiplying both numbers by a power of 10.

This “multiply both sides by the same power of 10” trick works because dividing two numbers gives the same result no matter what you scale them both by, provided you scale them equally — exactly the same principle that lets you create equivalent fractions. It matters well beyond the classroom: converting a currency exchange rate, working out unit price (cost ÷ quantity, both often given to several decimal places), and splitting a decimal measurement into equal parts (like cutting a 7.2 m rope into 0.4 m pieces) are all decimal-division problems that rely on this shift.

Dividing a Decimal by a Whole Number

Use short or long division exactly as with whole numbers; the decimal point in the answer sits directly above the decimal point in the dividend.

6.84 ÷ 4

Divide as if the decimal isn't there; the decimal point in the answer aligns with the one in the dividend.

Dividing by a Decimal

Multiply both the dividend and divisor by the same power of 10 to make the divisor a whole number.

4.8 ÷ 0.6 → multiply both by 10 → 48 ÷ 6

7.5 ÷ 0.25 → multiply both by 100 → 750 ÷ 25

0.084 ÷ 0.012 → multiply both by 1,000 → 84 ÷ 12

Estimation Check

Try It Yourself

Enter any numbers (decimals are fine) to see the division worked out step by step.

Key Takeaways

More Practice