What-is-a-Decimal

What is a Decimal?
We get decimals when we break a whole into smaller parts. A decimal number then has two
components: a whole number part and a fractional part. The decimal place value system for the
whole part of a decimal number is the same as the whole number value system. However, we get
the fractional part of the decimal number as we move toward the right after the decimal point.
The given image shows the decimal place value chart:
Note that as we go from left to right in the decimal place value system, each values is 1/10 times
smaller than the value to its left.
The first place after the decimal point is called the “tenths”, which represents a place value
of 1/10 of the whole or one-tenth of the whole. In decimal form, this fraction is written as “0.1”.
Such fractions whose denominator is 10 or a positive power of 10 is called a decimal fraction.
The second place is called the “hundredths”, which represents a place value of 1/100 of the
whole or one-hundredth of the whole. In numerical form, this decimal fraction is written as
“0.01”.
And the third place is called the “thousandths”, which represents a place value of 1/1000 of the
whole or one-thousandth of the whole. In numerical form, this decimal fraction is written as
“0.001”.
Here’s an example of a decimal number 17.48, in which 17 is the whole number, while 48 is the
decimal part.
How to Read a Decimal?
An informal way to read a decimal is by reading the whole part of the decimal number as you
would read any whole number and then reading the decimal dot as “point” and then reading
each digit of the rational part individually.
For example, the number 17.48 would be read as “Seventeen point four eight”.
However, a more formal way to read decimals is to read the whole part as a whole number, then
the decimal dot as “and” and then reading the fractional part altogether but using the place value
of the last digit with it.
For example, take a look at the given number
25.678
Here, the whole part is 25 and the place value of the last digit, 8, is thousandths. So we will read
this number as “Twenty-five and six hundred seventy-eight thousandths”.
Types of Decimals
Based on the number of digits after the decimal point, the decimal numbers can be divided into
two categories:
Like decimals: Two decimal numbers are said to be “like” decimals if they have the same
number of digits after the decimal point. For example, 6.34 and 2.67 both have two digits after
the decimal point so they are Like decimals.
Unlike decimals: Two decimal numbers are said to be “unlike” decimals if they have different
number of digits after the decimal point. For example, 5.3 and 6.873 both have different number
of digits after the decimal point so they are unlike decimals.
Operations Decimals
You should become efficient in using the four basic operations involving decimals—addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. To add or subtract decimals, just line up the decimal
points and then add or subtract in the same manner you would add or subtract whole numbers.
Adding and subtracting decimals
To add or subtract decimals, just line up the decimal points and then add or subtract in the same
manner you would add or subtract whole numbers.
Example 1
Add 23.6 + 1.75 + 300.002.
Adding in zeros can make the problem easier to work.
Example 2
Subtract 54.26 – 1.1.
Example 3
Subtract 78.9 – 37.43.
A whole number has an understood decimal point to its right.
Example 4
Subtract 17 – 8.43.
Multiplying decimals
To multiply decimals, just multiply as usual. Then count the total number of digits above the line
that are to the right of all decimal points. Place your decimal point in your answer so there are
the same number of digits to the right of it as there are above the line.
Example 5
Multiply 40.012 × 3.1.

Dividing decimals
Dividing decimals is the same as dividing other numbers, except that if the divisor (the number
you're dividing by) has a decimal, move it to the right as many places as necessary until it is a
whole number. Then move the decimal point in the dividend (the number being divided into) the
same number of places. Sometimes, you may have to add zeros to the dividend (the number
inside the division bracket). Note the decimal point in the quotient (answer) is placed above the
one in the dividend.
Example 6
Divide
Example 7
Divide
Example 8
Divide
Arranging decimals in ascending and descending order
If you are ordering decimals in ascending order, the smallest goes first and the numbers get
bigger from there. If you are going in descending order, the largest decimal goes first and the
numbers get smaller in order until you reach the smallest.
ACTIVITY: Complete the following problems show your solution.
1. Paul, tim and jason went fishing last weekend. Paul caught a fish that was a 12.10
pounds, tim caught a fish that was 8.75 pounds, and jason caught a fish that was 10.30
pounds. How much the fish weigh altogether?
2. The product of two numbers is 42.63. If one number is 2.1, find the other?
3. Rick's car gets 29.7 miles per gallon on the highway. If his fuel tank holds 10.45 gallons,
then how far can he travel on one full tank of gas?
4. A store owner has 7.11 lbs. Of candy. If she puts the candy into 9 jars, how much candy
will each jar contain?
5. paul will pay for his new car in 36 monthly payments. If his car loan is for $19,061, then
how much will paul pay each month? Round your answer to nearest cent.
6. A student earns $11.75 per hour for gardening. If she worked 21 hours this month, then
how much did she earn?
7. The sum of two decimal numbers is 72.8 and one number is 2.8 find the other number?
8. Michael bought 9 meters of thread for $642.1 find the cost price per meter.
9. Richard buys 12 pieces of cake for $46.8 find the cost of 3 pieces of cake?
10. Joseph buy 1 kg of rice to 24.3 find the cost of 4 kg of rice?

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What is a Decimal?

Such fractions whose denominator is 10 or a positive power of 10 is called a decimal fraction.

How to Read a Decimal?

For example, take a look at the given number

Adding and subtracting decimals

Add 23.6 + 1.75 + 300.002.

Adding in zeros can make the problem easier to work.

Subtract 54.26 – 1.1.

Subtract 78.9 – 37.43.

A whole number has an understood decimal point to its right.

Multiply 40.012 × 3.1.

Arranging decimals in ascending and descending order

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