How to divide whole number by decimals?

Divide whole number by decimals with confidence after reading this guide. By mastering the outlined steps and examples, you’ll grasp this fundamental concept, enhancing your mathematical skill set.

Divide whole number by decimals

To divide a whole number by a decimal, convert the decimal divisor to a whole number by shifting the decimal point right. Do the same shift for the dividend, then perform the division.

Definitions

1. Whole Numbers: The set of all natural numbers including zero without any fractional or decimal parts. Examples are 0, 1, 2, 3, …
2. Decimals: Numbers that have a whole part and a fractional part separated by a decimal point. For example, 2.5 is a decimal number, where 2 is the whole part, and 5 is the fractional part.

How to divide whole number by decimals

When dividing a whole number by a decimal, the process involves two steps:

1. Convert the divisor into a whole number: Shift the decimal point in the divisor to the right until you get a whole number. Note the number of places you shifted the decimal point.
2. Convert the dividend into a decimal number: Shift the decimal point in the dividend to the right by the same number of places as in step 1. Then perform the division as you normally would.

Example

Let’s look at an example, where we divide 36 (dividend) by 0.2 (divisor):

1. Shift the decimal point in the divisor (0.2) one place to the right to get 2.
2. Shift the decimal point in the dividend (36) one place to the right to get 360.
3. Divide 360 (dividend) by 2 (divisor) to get 180.

So, $36 \div 0.2 = 180$.

Let’s look deeper by exploring additional examples and detailing the division process. Remember, to successfully divide a whole number by a decimal, follow these steps:

1. Convert the decimal divisor into a whole number by shifting its decimal point to the right.
2. Shift the decimal point in the whole number (dividend) to the right by the same number of places.
3. Perform the division of the transformed numbers.
4. The result obtained is the answer to the original division of the whole number by the decimal.

Let’s illustrate this with some examples:

Example 1:

Divide 60 by 0.5.

1. Convert the decimal divisor 0.5 into a whole number by shifting its decimal point one place to the right. You get 5.

2. Shift the decimal point in the dividend 60 one place to the right, you get 600.

3. Divide the transformed numbers: $600 \div 5 = 120$.

So, $60 \div 0.5 = 120$.

Example 2:

Divide 120 by 0.25.

1. Convert the decimal divisor 0.25 into a whole number by shifting its decimal point two places to the right. You get 25.

2. Shift the decimal point in the dividend 120 two places to the right, you get 12000.

3. Divide the transformed numbers: $12000 \div 25 = 480$.

So, $120 \div 0.25 = 480$.

Example 3:

Divide 88 by 0.4.

1. Convert the decimal divisor 0.4 into a whole number by shifting its decimal point one place to the right. You get 4.

2. Shift the decimal point in the dividend 88 one place to the right, you get 880.

3. Divide the transformed numbers: $880 \div 4 = 220$.

So, $88 \div 0.4 = 220$.

Remember to practice with more examples for a firm grasp of this method.

Questions

Let’s solidify this understanding with some questions.

1. What is the result when you divide 45 by 0.5?
   • Shifting the decimal point of 0.5 one place to the right, we get 5.
   • Similarly, shift the decimal point of 45 one place to the right to get 450.
   • Dividing 450 by 5, we get 90.So, $45 \div 0.5 = 90$.
2. What is the result when you divide 80 by 0.25?
   • Shifting the decimal point of 0.25 two places to the right, we get 25.
   • Similarly, shift the decimal point of 80 two places to the right to get 8000.
   • Dividing 8000 by 25, we get 320.So, $80 \div 0.25 = 320$.

This method provides an accurate and easy way to perform divisions involving decimals.