Post 1: Multiplying Decimals
Multiplying decimals involves a few simple steps. Let’s break it down:
Step 1: Set up the multiplication problem just like you would with whole numbers, but don’t worry about aligning decimal points initially.
Step 2: Multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, ignoring the decimal point for now.
Step 3: Count the total number of decimal places in both the numbers being multiplied. This will determine where the decimal point should go in the final answer.
Step 4: Place the decimal point in the answer by counting from the right of the product, using the total number of decimal places calculated in step 3.
Post 2: Examples of Multiplying Decimals
Example 1:
0.6 × 0.4
Step 1: Multiply the numbers as whole numbers: 6 × 4 = 24
Step 2: Count the total decimal places: 1 + 1 = 2
Step 3: Place the decimal point in the answer: 24 -> 0.24
Example 2:
2.5 × 0.08
Step 1: Multiply the numbers as whole numbers: 25 × 8 = 200
Step 2: Count the total decimal places: 1 + 2 = 3
Step 3: Place the decimal point in the answer: 200 -> 2.00 -> 0.200
Post 3: Multiplying a Decimal by a Power of 10
To multiply a decimal by a power of 10 (10, 100, 1000, etc.), you simply move the decimal point to the right by the same number of places as there are zeros in the power of 10.
Step 1: Count the number of zeros in the power of 10.
Step 2: Move the decimal point in the original number to the right by the same number of places.
Example:
Multiply 3.75 by 1000.
Step 1: There are 3 zeros in 1000.
Step 2: Move the decimal point in 3.75 three places to the right: 3750.0
So, 3.75 × 1000 = 3750.0