How to Divide Decimals

Decimals are used to provide greater precision to numerical value of a quantity. Along with this benefit comes a challenge, which is the fact that carrying out mathematical operations are more difficult with decimals as compared to whole numbers. When it comes to dividing decimals, then the scenario becomes all the more complicated. It is so because division is the most complex among, all the four basic operations in mathematics. In fact, one needs to use successive subtraction to carry out a division. But problem solving, which involves division of decimals, can be made easy by ensuring that the divisor is a whole number. This can be done by shifting the decimal, so that, the divisor becomes a whole number. However, to avoid the ill-effects on the result of the problem, the dividend also, needs to be altered and balanced accordingly. This is the case if the divisor is a decimal. But first let us learn how to divide a decimal when the divisor is a whole number.

How to Divide Decimals By...

... a Whole Number

This is the easier of the two cases of division of decimal. When the divisor is a whole number and the dividend a decimal, then ignore the decimal point of the dividend. Now the problem becomes a simple one, which is a division involving whole numbers only. Work out the problem using the regular long division method. Once the quotient is achieved, place a decimal point with as many numbers to the right, as originally was in the dividend. Let's understand this process with an example:

Let's say we have to solve 7.9/4 to find its quotient. Follow these steps for solving the problem:

• Step 1: Ignore the decimal point in the dividend. Now your problem becomes 79/4.
• Step 2: Carry out the division with the regular long division method. The answer is 19.75.
• Step 3: The dividend had one digit to the right of the decimal point. So, we have to ensure that we shift the decimal so that there is one more digit to its right. Hence the answer is 1.975.

... a Decimal Number

If the divisor is not a whole number, then we have to move the decimal point over as many places as it takes, to make it a whole number. The same has to be done with the dividend. If the dividend is also a decimal number then move the decimal point over to as many places as you did in case of the divisor. Add some extra zeros to the dividend, if you have to. If the dividend is not a decimal number, then just append zeros to it, number of which should be equal to the number of places that you have shifted the decimal in the divisor. Let's understand this with this example:

Let's say we have solve 4.25/0.125 to find its quotient. Follow these steps for solving the sum:

• Step 1: To convert 0.125 to a whole number, you have to shift the decimal point to over three digits to right. Then you get the whole number 125 as the divisor.
• Step 2: Now move the decimal point in the dividend 3 places to the right. But there are only 2 digits to the right of the decimal in this case. Hence, you will have you append a zero to the end of the dividend and then shift the decimal 3 digits to the right in the dividend. Hence, the dividend now becomes 4250. The division that you have to solve is now 4250/125.
• Step 3: Now carry out division as you normally would. The answer is 34.

Now you have complete information on how to divide decimals but this is just the process involved. If you want to be able to do divisions involving decimals like a pro, then there is just one way to it - practice, practice and practice. All the best!