6th grade Q1

Dividing by a decimal is easier when you transform the decimal into a whole number.

Here's how you can simplify the process of dividing decimals with one decimal place:

1. Make the divisor a whole number:

• Move the decimal point in the divisor (the number you’re dividing by) one place to the right to make it a whole number. This is effectively the same as multiplying by 10.

2. Adjust the dividend:

• You need to do the same with the dividend (the number being divided) to maintain balance. Move its decimal point one place to the right as well.

3. Divide as usual:

• With both numbers adjusted, proceed to divide using long division. This approach makes the division simpler by removing decimals.

Example: $6.3÷1.5$

Step 1: Eliminate the decimal in the divisor

• Multiply both the divisor (1.5) and the dividend (6.3) by 10:

       $1.5\times 10=15$        $6.3\times 10=63$

• This adjustment moves the decimal point one place to the right in both numbers.

Step 2: Set up the division

• Now, divide 63 by 15 using long division.

Step 3: Perform the long division

Divide:

How many times does 15 go into 63? It goes 4 times because $15\times 4=60$

Subtract:

$63-60=3$

Bring down the next digit:

Since there are no more digits to bring down, you can add a decimal point and a zero to continue the division.

After placing the decimal point in your quotient (directly above the decimal in the dividend), bring down a zero to make the remainder 30.

Divide again: 15 goes into 30 exactly 2 times.

Complete the division: Add 2 to the quotient after the decimal point.

Final answer:

• $6.3÷1.5=4.2$

This method makes dividing by a decimal much easier by changing it into a division with whole numbers.