Dividing Decimals by a Whole Number
Use Long Division (ignoring the decimal point)
Put the decimal point in the same spot as the dividend (the number being divided)
Example: Divide 9.1 by 7 Ignore the decimal point and use Long Division:
13
7 )91
9
7
21
21
0 Put the decimal point in the answer directly above the decimal point in the dividend:
1.3
7 )9.1
The answer is 1.3
Put the decimal point in the same spot as the dividend (the number being divided)
Example: Divide 9.1 by 7 Ignore the decimal point and use Long Division:
13
7 )91
9
7
21
21
0 Put the decimal point in the answer directly above the decimal point in the dividend:
1.3
7 )9.1
The answer is 1.3
Dividing a Decimal by a Decimal
The Trick is to convert the number you are dividing by to a whole number first, by shifting the decimal point of both numbers to the right.
Now you are now dividing by a whole number, and can continue as normal.
It is safe to do this if you remember to shift the decimal point of both numbers the same number of places.
Example 2: Divide 5.39 by 1.1 You are not dividing by a whole number, so you need to move the decimal point so that you are dividing by a whole number:
5.39 -> 53.9
1.1 -> 11
You are now dividing by a whole number, so you can proceed:
Ignore the decimal point and use Long Division:
049
11 )539
5
0
53
44
99
99
0 Put the decimal point in the answer directly above the decimal point in the dividend:
04.9
11 )53.9
The answer is 4.9
Lastly, as a final check you can think "is that the right size?" because you don't want to pay ten times too much for anything, nor do you want to get only one-tenth of what you need!
Now you are now dividing by a whole number, and can continue as normal.
It is safe to do this if you remember to shift the decimal point of both numbers the same number of places.
Example 2: Divide 5.39 by 1.1 You are not dividing by a whole number, so you need to move the decimal point so that you are dividing by a whole number:
5.39 -> 53.9
1.1 -> 11
You are now dividing by a whole number, so you can proceed:
Ignore the decimal point and use Long Division:
049
11 )539
5
0
53
44
99
99
0 Put the decimal point in the answer directly above the decimal point in the dividend:
04.9
11 )53.9
The answer is 4.9
Lastly, as a final check you can think "is that the right size?" because you don't want to pay ten times too much for anything, nor do you want to get only one-tenth of what you need!