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.
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
4.8 ÷ 0.6 ≈ 5 ÷ 0.5 = 10. Answer 8 is close — reasonable ✓
Try It Yourself
Enter any numbers (decimals are fine) to see the division worked out step by step.
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Key Takeaways
- Keep the decimal point aligned when dividing by a whole number.
- Divide by a decimal: multiply both numbers by the same power of 10 first.
- Estimate to check whether the answer is sensible.
Practice Questions
- Calculate 9.6 ÷ 4.
- Calculate 5.4 ÷ 0.9.
- Calculate 3.6 ÷ 0.12.
- A rope 7.2 m long is cut into pieces of 0.4 m each. How many pieces?
- Calculate 0.096 ÷ 0.008.