How_To_Be_Good_At_Math

CALCULATING • DIVIDING WITH DECIMALS 151

Let’s divide 1.24 by 4. 1.24 ÷ 4 =?

You’ll need place

value columns

for decimal

places

Keep the decimal

points lined up,

between the ones

and tenths

columns

Bring down the

4 to the bottom

of the calculation

Divide 4 by 4

4

O

1 2 4

Dividing a decimal

If it is the dividend (the number being divided) that is the decimal number,

simply carry out the calculation as you would if there were no decimal

point there. Make sure you write the decimal point into the answer in the

correct place – directly above the one in the dividend.

Because the divisor (the number we are dividing

by) is greater than the dividend, we know the

answer will be less than 1. Write out the calculation

with a division bracket. Now we can begin calculating..

As 4 won’t go into 1, write a zero on the division

bracket above the 1 and a decimal point next to

it. Now we look to the next digit in the dividend and

divide 12 by 4. We know that 4 × 3 = 12, so we write

the 3 on the bracket above the 2, after the decimal

point. Write the 1.2 beneath the 1.2 in the dividend.

Subtract 1.2 from 1.2, which gives us 0.

Now carry down the final digit in

the dividend, which is 4, to sit next

to the 0 at the bottom of the calculation.

−

−

4

4

2

2

1

1

2

2

1

1

0

0

0

0

3

3

.

.

.

.

.

.

4

4

Next, divide 4 by 4. The answer is 1. Write

1 on the division bracket above the 4 in

the hundredths column. There’s no remainder,

so the calculation ends at this point.

−

(^412)
(^12)
0
0 3
.
.
.
4
4
1
So, 1.24 ÷ 4 = 0.31 1.24 ÷ 4 = 0.31
O
O
O
4
1
100
1
10
1
101 100
1
100
1
10
1
100
1
10
150_151_Dividing_using_decimals.indd 151 29/02/2016 19:04