How to multiply decimal numbers:

1. Estimate your product FIRST!

2. Multiply the numbers just as if they were whole numbers.

Line up the numbers on the right - do not align the decimal points.

3.

Place the decimal point in the answer by starting at the right and moving a number
of places equal to the sum of the decimal places in both numbers multiplied.

Estimate:
3.77 x 2.8.hmm

Does my answer
make sense?

4x3 = 12 so my
answer should be
around 12

10.556 is close to
12 so yes it is a
logical answer

How to multiply decimal numbers:

4. Estimate your product FIRST!

5. Multiply the numbers just as if they were whole numbers.

Line up the numbers on the right - do not align the decimal points.

6.

Place the decimal point in the answer by starting at the right and moving a number
of places equal to the sum of the decimal places in both numbers multiplied.

Estimate:
3.77 x 2.8.hmm
4x3 = 12 so my
answer should be
around 12

Does my answer
make sense?
10.556 is close to
12 so yes it is a
logical answer

How to ADD decimal numbers:

1.

Put the numbers in a vertical column, aligning the decimal points

2.

Add each column of digits, starting on the right and working left. If the sum of a
column is more than ten, "carry" digits to the next column on the left.

3.

Place the decimal point in the answer directly below the decimal points in the
terms.

Let's look at an example.

Estimate FIRST!
123 + 0.0079 + 43.5

Remember whole numbers

have the decimal after the
last digit!

120 + 1 + 44 = 165

Does 166.5079 seem logical based on my

estimate?

YES!

How to SUBTRACT decimal numbers:

1.

Put the numbers in a vertical column, aligning the decimal points.

2.

Subtract each column, starting on the right and working left. If the digit being
subtracted in a column is larger than the digit above it, "borrow" a digit from the
next column to the left.

3.

Place the decimal point in the answer directly below the decimal points in the
terms.

4.

Check your answer by adding the result to the number subtracted. The sum should
equal the first number.

Here's a subtraction example.

Estimate!
27.583 0.2
28 1 = 27

Does 27.383 seem like a logical

answer? Is it close to my estimate of
27?

How to divide a decimal number by another decimal numbers:

1. ESTIMATE YOUR QUOTIENT FIRST!

2.

If the divisor is not a whole number, move decimal point to right to make it a whole
number and move decimal point in dividend the same number of places.

3.

Divide as usual. Keep dividing until the answer ends or go two decimal places

4.

Put decimal point directly above decimal point in the dividend.

5.

Check your answer. Multiply quotient by divisor. Does it equal the dividend

Move the decimal in the dividend the same amount

to the right

Estimate!
17 7 = about
2

Move the decimal in the

divisor to the right until it is a
whole number.

Think!
Is 2.6 close to my
estimate of 2?
YES! So my
answer is
logical

Example 2:

Estimate:
55 3 = about
18

Is 16.27 close to my
estimate of 18? YES so
my answer is logical!
How to divide a decimal number by a whole number

1. ESTIMATE YOUR QUOTIENT FIRST!

2. If the divisor is a whole number, place the decimal in the dividend directly
3.
4.

above the place value spot in the quotient.

Divide as usual. Keep dividing until the answer ends or go two decimal places
Check your answer. Multiply quotient by divisor. Does it equal the dividend

Estimate:
18 36 = (or
0.5)

Check it!