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Here are some tips for Decimal Division, which aligns with California state standards:

Decimal Division


You must know how to do long division before doing this topic.
To review Long Division, see here.

Steps for decimal division:
  1. Move the decimal point in the divisor to the right until the divisor is a whole number.
  2. Move the decimal point in the dividend to the right the same number of places as in Step 1.
  3. Divide until the remainder is 0.
    The decimal point in the answer lines up with the decimal point in the dividend.
divisor5.44   32.368
dividend


Example 1:

3.7  11.84

Adjust the decimal points in the divisor and the dividend.
 

Now divide.
     3 
37)118.4
  -111 
     7
    
 
     3.2   ← Place the decimal point in the
37)118.4     answer so that it lines up with
  -111       the decimal point in the dividend.
     7 4
    -7 4 
       0
    
3.7  11.84


Example 2: Adding zero

4.5  21.6

Adjust the decimal points in the divisor and the dividend.
 

Now divide.
     4 
45)216
  -180 
    36
    
 
        4 
   45)216.0
     -180 
       36 0

Since there is a remainder,
a zero is brought down.
    
 
     4.8   ← Place the decimal point in the
45)216.0     answer so that it lines up with
  -180       the decimal point in the dividend.
    36 0
   -36 0
       0
    
4.5  21.6

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