When we add or subtract decimal numbers with different decimal places, we fill in zeros to square out the decimal places.
When we add or subtract decimal numbers and whole numbers, we do the same.
We change the whole number, 6, into a decimal number. First, we look at the decimal places in the other decimal number, 8.349. This number has three decimal places-up to the thousandths. Adding three zeros to fill in the decimal places in 6 should also bring it up to the thousandths.
6 = 6.000
Now we can solve the equation:
Let's try a different problem:
14.279 - 8
We change the whole number, 8, into a decimal number. How many decimal places should it have? The other decimal number, 14.279, has three decimal places-up to the thousandths. We should add three zeros to 8:
14.279 - 8.000
To solve this equation, let's write it in columns, with the decimal points lined up.
Remember, we can change whole numbers into decimal numbers. You do this by adding a decimal point to the right of the ones place and then filling in as many zeros as are needed.
