Lesson 7: Divide Decimals6.NOS.3

I can…

I can divide with decimals by making the divisor a whole number first.

Key words

• Dividend — The number you are splitting up in a division problem.
• Divisor — The number you split by in a division problem.
• Quotient — The answer when you divide.
• Decimal division — Dividing with decimals. First make the number you divide by a whole number.
• Equivalent division — Multiplying both numbers by 10 or 100 gives the same answer.

Steps

1. I want 18.9 ÷ 6.3. The divisor is 6.3, and I want it to be a whole number.
2. I move the decimal point 1 place right in the divisor: 6.3 becomes 63.
3. I must move the dividend the same 1 place right: 18.9 becomes 189. Now the problem is 189 ÷ 63.
4. I divide: 189 ÷ 63 = 3. So 18.9 ÷ 6.3 = 3.
5. I check by multiplying: 6.3 × 3 = 18.9. Correct — 3 pods can be filled.

Try it

What is 19.2 ÷ 0.8?

Check your answer

24

Multiply both by 10: 192 ÷ 8 = 24.

Sentence starter

I know ___ because ___.

Goal: I can explain my work using the words dividend, divisor, quotient, and equivalent division.