5.3: Decimal Operations
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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
- Add and subtract decimals
- Multiply decimals
- Divide decimals
- Use decimals in money applications
Be Prepared 5.4
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Simplify
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.19.
Be Prepared 5.5
Multiply
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.25.
Be Prepared 5.6
Divide
If you missed this problem, review Example 3.49.
Add and Subtract Decimals
Let’s take one more look at the lunch order from the start of Decimals, this time noticing how the numbers were added together.
All three items (sandwich, water, tax) were priced in dollars and cents, so we lined up the dollars under the dollars and the cents under the cents, with the decimal points lined up between them. Then we just added each column, as if we were adding whole numbers. By lining up decimals this way, we can add or subtract the corresponding place values just as we did with whole numbers.
How To
Add or subtract decimals.
- Step 1. Write the numbers vertically so the decimal points line up.
- Step 2. Use zeros as place holders, as needed.
- Step 3. Add or subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal in the answer under the decimal points in the given numbers.
Example 5.11
Add:
- Answer
Write the numbers vertically so the decimal points line up. Place holders are not needed since both numbers have the same number of decimal places. Add the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal in the answer under the decimal points in the given numbers.
Try It 5.21
Add:
Try It 5.22
Add:
Example 5.12
Add:
- Answer
Write the numbers vertically so the decimal points line up. Place 0 as a place holder after the 5 in 23.5, so that both numbers have two decimal places. Add the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal in the answer under the decimal points in the given numbers.
Try It 5.23
Add:
Try It 5.24
Add:
How much change would you get if you handed the cashier a
Example 5.13
Subtract:
- Answer
Write the numbers vertically so the decimal points line up. Remember 20 is a whole number, so place the decimal point after the 0. Place two zeros after the decimal point in 20, as place holders so that both numbers have two decimal places. Subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal in the answer under the decimal points in the given numbers.
Try It 5.25
Subtract:
Try It 5.26
Subtract:
Example 5.14
Subtract:
- Answer
If we subtract
from the answer will be negative since To subtract easily, we can subtract from Then we will place the negative sign in the result.Write the numbers vertically so the decimal points line up. Place zero after the 4 in 7.4 as a place holder, so that both numbers have two decimal places. Subtract and place the decimal in the answer. Remember that we are really subtracting so the answer is negative.
Try It 5.27
Subtract:
Try It 5.28
Subtract:
Multiply Decimals
Multiplying decimals is very much like multiplying whole numbers—we just have to determine where to place the decimal point. The procedure for multiplying decimals will make sense if we first review multiplying fractions.
Do you remember how to multiply fractions? To multiply fractions, you multiply the numerators and then multiply the denominators.
So let’s see what we would get as the product of decimals by converting them to fractions first. We will do two examples side-by-side in Table 5.3. Look for a pattern.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| Convert to fractions. | ||
| Multiply. | ||
| Convert back to decimals. |
There is a pattern that we can use. In A, we multiplied two numbers that each had one decimal place, and the product had two decimal places. In B, we multiplied a number with one decimal place by a number with two decimal places, and the product had three decimal places.
How many decimal places would you expect for the product of
Once we know how to determine the number of digits after the decimal point, we can multiply decimal numbers without converting them to fractions first. The number of decimal places in the product is the sum of the number of decimal places in the factors.
The rules for multiplying positive and negative numbers apply to decimals, too, of course.
Multiplying Two Numbers
When multiplying two numbers,
- if their signs are the same, the product is positive.
- if their signs are different, the product is negative.
When you multiply signed decimals, first determine the sign of the product and then multiply as if the numbers were both positive. Finally, write the product with the appropriate sign.
How To
Multiply decimal numbers.
- Step 1. Determine the sign of the product.
- Step 2. Write the numbers in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right.
- Step 3. Multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, temporarily ignoring the decimal points.
- Step 4. Place the decimal point. The number of decimal places in the product is the sum of the number of decimal places in the factors. If needed, use zeros as placeholders.
- Step 5. Write the product with the appropriate sign.
Example 5.15
Multiply:
- Answer
Determine the sign of the product. The signs are the same. The product will be positive. Write the numbers in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right. Multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, temporarily ignoring the decimal points. Place the decimal point. Add the number of decimal places in the factors Place the decimal point 4 places from the right.The product is positive.
Try It 5.29
Multiply:
Try It 5.30
Multiply:
Example 5.16
Multiply:
- Answer
The signs are different. The product will be negative. Write in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right. Multiply. The product is negative.
Try It 5.31
Multiply:
Try It 5.32
Multiply:
In the next example, we’ll need to add several placeholder zeros to properly place the decimal point.
Example 5.17
Multiply:
- Answer
The product is positive. Write in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right. Multiply.
Add zeros as needed to get the 5 places.The product is positive.
Try It 5.33
Multiply:
Try It 5.34
Multiply:
Multiply by Powers of
In many fields, especially in the sciences, it is common to multiply decimals by powers of
Look at the results without the final zeros. Do you notice a pattern?
The number of places that the decimal point moved is the same as the number of zeros in the power of ten. Table 5.4 summarizes the results.
| Multiply by | Number of zeros | Number of places decimal point moves |
|---|---|---|
We can use this pattern as a shortcut to multiply by powers of ten instead of multiplying using the vertical format. We can count the zeros in the power of
So, for example, to multiply
Sometimes when we need to move the decimal point, there are not enough decimal places. In that case, we use zeros as placeholders. For example, let’s multiply
How To
Multiply a decimal by a power of 10.
- Step 1. Move the decimal point to the right the same number of places as the number of zeros in the power of
- Step 2. Write zeros at the end of the number as placeholders if needed.
Example 5.18
Multiply
- Answer
By looking at the number of zeros in the multiple of ten, we see the number of places we need to move the decimal to the right.
ⓐ There is 1 zero in 10, so move the decimal point 1 place to the right. ⓑ There are 2 zeros in 100, so move the decimal point 2 places to the right.
| ⓒ | |
| There are 3 zeros in 1000, so move the decimal point 3 places to the right. | |
| A zero must be added at the end. |
Try It 5.35
Multiply
Try It 5.36
Multiply
Divide Decimals
Just as with multiplication, division of decimals is very much like dividing whole numbers. We just have to figure out where the decimal point must be placed.
To understand decimal division, let’s consider the multiplication problem
Remember, a multiplication problem can be rephrased as a division problem. So we can write
We can think of this as “If we divide 8 tenths into four groups, how many are in each group?” Figure 5.5 shows that there are four groups of two-tenths in eight-tenths. So
Using long division notation, we would write
Notice that the decimal point in the quotient is directly above the decimal point in the dividend.
To divide a decimal by a whole number, we place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend and then divide as usual. Sometimes we need to use extra zeros at the end of the dividend to keep dividing until there is no remainder.
How To
Divide a decimal by a whole number.
- Step 1. Write as long division, placing the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
- Step 2. Divide as usual.
Example 5.19
Divide:
- Answer
Write as long division, placing the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. Divide as usual. Since 3 does not go into 0 or 1 we use zeros as placeholders.
Try It 5.37
Divide:
Try It 5.38
Divide:
In everyday life, we divide whole numbers into decimals—money—to find the price of one item. For example, suppose a case of
Example 5.20
Divide:
- Answer
Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. Divide as usual. When do we stop? Since this division involves money, we round it to the nearest cent (hundredth). To do this, we must carry the division to the thousandths place. Round to the nearest cent. This means the price per bottle is
cents.
Try It 5.39
Divide:
Try It 5.40
Divide:
Divide a Decimal by Another Decimal
So far, we have divided a decimal by a whole number. What happens when we divide a decimal by another decimal? Let’s look at the same multiplication problem we looked at earlier, but in a different way.
Remember, again, that a multiplication problem can be rephrased as a division problem. This time we ask, “How many times does
We would get the same answer,
We multiplied the numerator and denominator by
We use the rules for dividing positive and negative numbers with decimals, too. When dividing signed decimals, first determine the sign of the quotient and then divide as if the numbers were both positive. Finally, write the quotient with the appropriate sign.
It may help to review the vocabulary for division:
How To
Divide decimal numbers.
- Step 1. Determine the sign of the quotient.
- Step 2. Make the divisor a whole number by moving the decimal point all the way to the right. Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places to the right, writing zeros as needed.
- Step 3. Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
- Step 4. Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.
Example 5.21
Divide:
- Answer
Determine the sign of the quotient. The quotient will be negative. Make the divisor the whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right. 'Move' the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places to the right. Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend. Add zeros as needed until the remainder is zero. Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.
Try It 5.41
Divide:
Try It 5.42
Divide:
Example 5.22
Divide:
- Answer
The signs are the same. The quotient is positive. Make the divisor a whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right.
'Move' the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places.Divide.
Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.
Try It 5.43
Divide:
Try It 5.44
Divide:
Now we will divide a whole number by a decimal number.
Example 5.23
Divide:
- Answer
The signs are the same. The quotient is positive. Make the divisor a whole number by 'moving' the decimal point all the way to the right.
Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places, adding zeros as needed.Divide.
Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.Write the quotient with the appropriate sign. We can relate this example to money. How many nickels are there in four dollars? Because
there are nickels in
Try It 5.45
Divide:
Try It 5.46
Divide:
Use Decimals in Money Applications
We often apply decimals in real life, and most of the applications involving money. The Strategy for Applications we used in The Language of Algebra gives us a plan to follow to help find the answer. Take a moment to review that strategy now.
Strategy for Applications
- Identify what you are asked to find.
- Write a phrase that gives the information to find it.
- Translate the phrase to an expression.
- Simplify the expression.
- Answer the question with a complete sentence.
Example 5.24
Paul received
- Answer
What are you asked to find? How much did Paul have left? Write a phrase. $50 less $31.64 Translate. Simplify. 18.36 Write a sentence. Paul has $18.36 left.
Try It 5.47
Nicole earned
Try It 5.48
Amber bought a pair of shoes for
Example 5.25
Jessie put
- Answer
What are you asked to find? How much did Jessie owe for all the gas? Write a phrase. 8 times the cost of one gallon of gas Translate. Simplify. $28.232 Round to the nearest cent. $28.23 Write a sentence. Jessie owes $28.23 for her gas purchase.
Try It 5.49
Hector put
Try It 5.50
Christopher bought
Example 5.26
Four friends went out for dinner. They shared a large pizza and a pitcher of soda. The total cost of their dinner was
- Answer
What are you asked to find? How much should each friend pay? Write a phrase. $31.76 divided equally among the four friends. Translate to an expression. Simplify. $7.94 Write a sentence. Each friend should pay $7.94 for his share of the dinner.
Try It 5.51
Six friends went out for dinner. The total cost of their dinner was
Try It 5.52
Chad worked
Be careful to follow the order of operations in the next example. Remember to multiply before you add.
Example 5.27
Marla buys
- Answer
What are you asked to find? How much is the total cost of the fruit? Write a phrase. 6 times the cost of each banana plus 4 times the cost of each orange Translate to an expression. Simplify. Add. $3.28 Write a sentence. Marla's total cost for the fruit is $3.28.
Try It 5.53
Suzanne buys
Try It 5.54
Lydia bought movie tickets for the family. She bought two adult tickets for
Links To Literacy
The Links to Literacy activity "Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday" will provide you with another view of the topics covered in this section.
Media
ACCESS ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES
Section 5.2 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Add and Subtract Decimals
In the following exercises, add or subtract.
Multiply Decimals
In the following exercises, multiply.
Divide Decimals
In the following exercises, divide.
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, simplify.
Use Decimals in Money Applications
In the following exercises, use the strategy for applications to solve.
Spending money Brenda got
Spending money Marissa found
Shopping Adam bought a t-shirt for
Restaurant Roberto’s restaurant bill was
Coupon Emily bought a box of cereal that cost
Coupon Diana bought a can of coffee that cost
Diet Leo took part in a diet program. He weighed
Snowpack On April
Coffee Noriko bought
Subway Fare Arianna spends
Income Mayra earns
Income Peter earns
Hourly Wage Alan got his first paycheck from his new job. He worked
Hourly Wage Maria got her first paycheck from her new job. She worked
Restaurant Jeannette and her friends love to order mud pie at their favorite restaurant. They always share just one piece of pie among themselves. With tax and tip, the total cost is
ⓐ
ⓑ
ⓒ
ⓓ
ⓔ
Pizza Alex and his friends go out for pizza and video games once a week. They share the cost of a
ⓐ
ⓑ
ⓒ
ⓓ
ⓔ
Fast Food At their favorite fast food restaurant, the Carlson family orders
Home Goods Chelsea needs towels to take with her to college. She buys
Zoo The Lewis and Chousmith families are planning to go to the zoo together. Adult tickets cost
Ice Skating Jasmine wants to have her birthday party at the local ice skating rink. It will cost
Everyday Math
Paycheck Annie has two jobs. She gets paid
ⓐ How much did she earn?
ⓑ If she had worked all
Paycheck Jake has two jobs. He gets paid
ⓐ How much did he earn?
ⓑ If he had worked all
Writing Exercises
At the 2010 winter Olympics, two skiers took the silver and bronze medals in the Men's Super-G ski event. Miller's time was
Find the quotient of
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ After reviewing this checklist, what will you do to become confident for all objectives?


