Let's practice dividing decimal numbers. For this activity, you will need colored sticky notes, a sheet of paper, and two different colored markers. Start with this equation:
Instead of writing the remainder as a fraction, let's write it as a decimal number. How do we do that?
Before we solve for the decimal number, get the sheet of paper and a colored sticky note. Place the sticky note on the center of the paper. Then copy the dividend (the number you're dividing, which is 7 in this case) onto the sticky note. Write the divisor (the number you're dividing by, which is 4 in this case) outside the sticky note just beside the dividend. The sticky note will be your division sign. Your problem will look like this on your paper:
Next, let's solve to get an answer with a remainder that is a decimal number.
First, we put a decimal point after the 7. We put a decimal point in the answer right above the other decimal point. We can add zeros to the 7 without changing its value. Your problem will look like this:
Now we divide. Your solution will look like this:
Now it's your turn to practice dividing decimal numbers. This time, your equation will be:
Good luck!
Ready to move on to the next lesson?
Decimal Division Basics
