Dividing Decimals This presentation will show you how to set up and perform a decimal division problem.

÷ 2.15 You can’t divide by a decimal so you have to move the decimal in the divisor all the way to the right.

Look at the divisor Do we need to keep the decimal behind the number or can we just assume it is there?

Now we have to move the decimal in the dividend We need to move the decimal the same number of spaces and in the same direction for the dividend to keep everything the same.

Now we are ready to divide How many times does 215 go into 1814? What’s your first guess? Try something like 8 or 9 because 2 x 8 or 2 x 9 will get you close to 18.

Continuing on 8 8 x 215 is

Placing the decimal in the answer The decimal goes directly above the decimal in the dividend Notice that we’ve dropped the 6 down.

Continuing on again You must add a zero on to the dividend to finish

And finish

► So, ÷ 2.15 is