SME
Grade 6 Math · Problem type
Divide by a decimal
Use this for “3.6 ÷ 1.2”: make the divisor whole, then divide.
Diagram
1.26 ÷ 0.3 = 4.2: 4 jumps and 0.2 of a jump.
0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2
Divisor: 0.3
Dividend: 1.26
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
n
÷
d
=
q
Formulas
1.26 ÷ 0.3 = 4.2
Dividend ÷ divisor = quotient
Assumptions
•
Multiply the dividend and the divisor by the same 10 or 100: the quotient stays the same.
•
Choose the power of ten that makes the divisor a whole number.
•
Divisors from 0.01 to 9.99; quotients end within three decimal places.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Dividend: 1.26
Divisor: 0.3
FIND
quotient
Step 1 · Find quotient
1.26 ÷ 0.3 = ?
Dividend ÷ divisor = quotient
Multiply both by the same power of ten so the divisor is whole. Then divide.
Multiply both by 10: 1.26 ÷ 0.3 = 12.6 ÷ 3
4
.
2
3
)
1
2
.
6
−
1
2
6
−
6
0
Quotient = 4.2
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
4.2 × 0.3 = 1.26 ✓
← Previous lesson
Add and subtract decimals
Next lesson →
Greatest common factor and least common multiple
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
New questions each time. Pass to mark it complete.
Refresh
Related lessons
Compute with multi-digit numbers and decimals
Main lesson
Divide multi-digit numbers with a remainder
Use this for “1,431 ÷ 99 = ?” when it doesn’t come out even: 14 remainder 45.
Multiply decimals
Use this for “Find the value of (0.052)(0.36),” or 2.35 × 1.4.
Add and subtract decimals
Use this for “$18.25 − $6.40,” or 9.3 − 4.56.