Decimals & Percents · Divide decimals · 4.2

Divide by a decimal.

To divide by a decimal, shift both decimal points the same number of places so the divisor becomes a whole number, then divide. 1.2 ÷ 0.4 → 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

01 / THE IDEA

See it work.

Watch the method

Divide by a decimal

1.2 ÷ 0.4 = 3.

1 / 2
1.2÷0.41.2 \div 0.4
1

Make the divisor whole

Shift both points 1 place(s) right so you divide by a whole number.

1.2÷0.41.2 \div 0.4
2

Divide

Now divide normally.

=3= 3
02 / YOUR TURN

Practice until it feels automatic.

Your turn

Work it out.

Type a decimal, e.g. 0.75.

streak 0
best 0
… =
— / WHY IT WORKS

The idea underneath.

Shift both the same

Multiplying both numbers by the same power of ten doesn’t change the quotient, but makes the divisor a whole number.

Why it works

1.2 ÷ 0.4 = 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

03 / WORKED EXAMPLES

From easy to tricky.

EX 1easy

Divide 1.5 ÷ 0.5

1

Make the divisor whole

Shift both points 1 place(s) right so you divide by a whole number. 1.5 ÷ 0.5

2

Divide

Now divide normally. = 3

EX 2medium

Divide 0.8 ÷ 0.2

1

Make the divisor whole

Shift both points 1 place(s) right so you divide by a whole number. 0.8 ÷ 0.2

2

Divide

Now divide normally. = 4

EX 3hard

Divide 0.6 ÷ 0.2

1

Make the divisor whole

Shift both points 1 place(s) right so you divide by a whole number. 0.6 ÷ 0.2

2

Divide

Now divide normally. = 3

04 / COMMON TRAPS

Where students slip.

Trap

Shifting only one number.

Fix

Shift BOTH the same number of places.

Trap

Thinking division always makes it smaller.

Fix

Dividing by less than 1 makes it bigger.

05 / QUIZ

Test yourself.

The Test

12 problems across three tiers. Auto-graded on submit. Hints and a full walkthrough on every question. Your work is saved on this device — sign in to keep it across devices.

0/12Answered
How to answerType just the value. Formatting won't trip you up — we ignore spaces, capital letters, commas, and subscript style, so t₁ = 5, d = 3 and t1=5,d=3 both count. For a list of numbers, separate them with commas (e.g. 3, 10, 17).
Core

Core (4)

C1

Divide 0.75 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
C2

Divide 0.8 ÷ 0.4

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
C3

Divide 0.6 ÷ 0.2

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
C4

Divide 2.4 ÷ 0.4

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
Apply

Apply (4)

A1

Divide 1.6 ÷ 0.2

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
A2

Divide 2.25 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
A3

Divide 1 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
A4

Divide 1 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
Extension

Extension (4)

E1

Divide 0.5 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
E2

Divide 2 ÷ 0.5

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
E3

Divide 1 ÷ 0.25

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.
E4

Divide 1.4 ÷ 0.2

Need a hint?
  • Shift both points to clear the divisor.
  • Then divide normally.