how to divide decimals in your head

Divide the following: 21.9 / 0.015 = ?

1,460. Set up the problem as usual:

Notice that two trailing zeros are attached to the dividend because you need to move the decimal points in each number three places to the right. After this step, we can divide 789.1 37 using long division and we get the quotient as 21.32. This means that when we multiply the original fraction we had by a fraction that is equal to one we are not changing its value, we are simply changing how we represent that value. Be careful to line up the quotient properly so that the decimal point falls into place.

3.15 / 0.021 = 150. Turn the divisor (the number you're dividing by) into a whole number by moving the decimal point all the way to the right. The answer you get is the quotient Basic steps for manual division Divide - 6492/4 4 is the divisor and 6492 is the dividend. When multiplying by 10 in our heads, we can move each number a place value column to the left and add a zero. Step 3: Place the decimal point in the quotient above the dividend's decimal point and . It still has a decimal point. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. If you come across a problem where you have to carry a number, don't forget to remember it. Russell, Deb. To convert a fraction into a decimal, divide the top number by the bottom number. Line up the quotient carefully so the decimal point falls into place:

Even though the division comes out even after you write the digit 6 in the quotient, you still need to add a placeholding zero so that the decimal point appears in the correct place.