Chapter

6
Place value Ordering decimal numbers Adding and subtracting decimal numbers Multiplying and dividing by powers of 10 Multiplying decimal numbers Dividing decimal numbers Terminating and recurring decimals Decimal approximations Comparing sizes

Decimal numbers

Contents:

A B C D E F G H I

116

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

Decimal numbers are widely used in everyday life. We see them frequently in money and in measurements of length, area, weight and so on.

HISTORICAL NOTE
The earliest decimal system was probably invented by Elamites of Iran in the period 3500-2500 BC. The decimal system was developed in Ancient India and Arabia. The decimal point we use in this course was probably invented by Bartholomaeus Pitiscus in 1612. A comma is used instead of a decimal point in some European countries.

OPENING PROBLEM
If we divide 1 by 3 using a calculator, the decimal number 0:333 333 3::::::: is formed. We call this number zero point 3 recurring as the line of 3s is endless. It is said that all recurring decimals are rational numbers which result from one whole number being divided by another. If this is so, what fraction is equal to zero point 9 recurring or 0:999 999 99::::::?

PLACE VALUE

We have seen that the number system we use today is a place value system using base 10. In this chapter we extend the place value system to include parts of a whole. In Chapter 4 we introduced common fractions so that we could write numbers less than one. If we restrict ourselves to fractions where the denominator is a power of 10, we can use the place value system to represent both whole and fractional numbers. We introduce a mark called a decimal point to separate the whole number part from the fractional part. For example: 731:245 represents 700 + 30 + 1 + 24:059 represents 20 + 4
2 10

+ +

4 100 5 100

+ +

5 1000 9 1000

When written as a sum like this, we say the number is in expanded form. The place value table for 731:245 and 24:059 is: 731:245 24:059 hundreds 7 tens 3 2 units 1 4 tenths 2 0 hundredths 4 5 thousandths 5 9

. .

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

117

When a decimal number does not contain any whole number part, we write a zero in the ones place. This gives more emphasis to the decimal point. For example, we write 0:75 instead of :75 . Zeros are also very important within decimal numbers. For example, 6:702 = 6 +
7 10

2 1000

whereas 6:72 = 6 +

7 10

2 100 :

Example 1

Self Tutor

Write in expanded form: 7:802 7:802 = 7 +

8 10

2 1000

Example 2

Self Tutor
65 1000 65 1000

Write in decimal form:

= =

60 1000 6 100

5 1000

5 1000

= 0:065

EXERCISE 6A.1
1 Express the following in expanded form: a 3:6 f 0:000 54 b 8:07 g 3:058 c 0:123 h 0:0632 d 2:061 i 53:707 c
3 100 5 100 6 100

e 3:0071 j 0:006 07

2 Write the following in decimal form: 2 13 a 10 b 100 d g j

83 100 3 100 9 100

e + +
7 1000 1 1000

h k
Example 3

1 10 6 10 9 10

+ + +

f +
9 1000

i l

241 1000 37 1000 3 7 1000 + 10 000 7 5 1 10 + 100 + 1000

7 10 000

Self Tutor

State the value of the digit 3 in 0:5632 0:5632

5 10 6 100 3 1000

) the 3 stands for

3 1000 .

3 State the value of the digit 5 in the following: a 1523 e 0:0512 b 3:518 f 53 077 c 53:07 g 81:954 d 87:0652 h 3589:64

118

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

Example 4
137 Express 4 1000 137 4 1000 =4+

Self Tutor
in decimal form.

You should be able to see how to do this in one step.

=4+

100 30 7 1000 + 1000 + 1000 1 3 7 10 + 100 + 1000

= 4:137 4 Express in decimal form:

8 a 8 10 41 e 7 1000 57 b 2 100 7 f 3 1000 18 c 13 100 461 d 1 1000 39 h 5 1000

g 5 10 6 000 k
681 10

648 100

5666 1000

7061 100

CONVERTING DECIMALS TO FRACTIONS

Our understanding of decimals and the place value system allows us to convert decimals to fractions. Some fractions can be cancelled down to their simplest form by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their highest common factor (HCF). For example, 0:36 =
Example 5
36 100

9 25

when all common factors have been cancelled.

Self Tutor
b 3:88 c 0:375 c
88 100

Write as a fraction in simplest form: a 0:8 a = = 0:8

8 10 4 5

3:88 =3+ = 3 22 25

0:375 = =
375 1000 3 8

EXERCISE 6A.2
1 Write as a fraction in simplest form: a 0:3 e 1:7 i 0:02 a 0:27 e 0:0004 i 0:625 b 0:9 f 3:2 j 0:07 b 0:84 f 0:275 j 0:000 05 c 1:2 g 0:15 k 0:04 c 0:004 g 0:825 k 4:08 d 2:5 h 0:16 l 0:125 d 0:015 h 0:0025 l 0:075

2 Write as a fraction in simplest form:

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

119

B
Example 6

ORDERING DECIMAL NUMBERS

Just like whole numbers, decimal numbers may be shown on a number line. To do this we generally divide each segment of the number line into ten equal parts.

Self Tutor

Place the values 2:1, 2:45 and 2:8 on a number line. Divide a number line from 2 to 3 into ten equal parts.
2
1 2:1 is placed 10 of the way from 2 to 3.

2.5

3
8 2:8 is placed 10 of the way from 2 to 3.

2:45 lies half-way between 2:4 and 2:5 .

Example 7

Self Tutor

Write down the values of A and B on the number line:

0.3 A B 0.4

The segment between 0:3 and 0:4 is divided into 10 equal parts, so the number line shows 0:30, 0:31, 0:32, ...., 0:39, 0:40 . A lies at 0:32 B lies half-way between 0:38 and 0:39, so B is 0:385 .

EXERCISE 6B
1 Place the following decimal numbers on separate number lines: a 1:2, 1:35, 1:9 d 15:8, 16:9, 16:25 a
2 A B 3

b 4:3, 4:75, 4:8 e 0:22, 0:26, 0:29 b

0.5 B

c 68:7, 68:2, 69:1 f 1:81, 1:85, 1:88

2 Write down the values of A and B on the following number lines:

A 0.6

c
0.2 A B 0.21

d
2.52 A B 2.53

e
10.91 A B 10.92

f
6.753 A B 6.754

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DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

Example 8

Self Tutor

Insert >, < or = between the numbers 5:302 and 5:31 . Both numbers have 5 wholes and three tenths. 5:302 has zero hundredths whereas 5:31 has one hundredth. So, 5:302 < 5:31 3 Insert <, > or = between these pairs of numbers: a 3:63, 3:6 b 7:07, 7:7 c 0:008 76, 0:0786 d 0:229, 0:292 e 0:47, 0:5 f 21:101, 21:011 67 g 0:746, 0:467 h 0:076, 100 i 0:306, 0:603 j
150 1000 ,

> means is greater than. < means is less than.

0:15

k 7:5, 7:500

l 0:7,

70 100

Example 9

Self Tutor
We can write zeros at the end of decimal numbers without changing the place value of the other digits.

Write the following decimal numbers in ascending order (from smallest to largest): 7:35, 7:28, 7:095 To help compare the numbers we write them with the same number of places after the decimal: 7:350, 7:280, 7:095 The numbers each have the same whole number part: 7:350, 7:280, 7:095 but different values in the tenths place: 7:350, 7:280, 7:095 So, 7:095, 7:28, 7:35 are in ascending order. 4 Write in ascending order: a c e g 2:36, 2:3, 2:036 0:5, 0:495, 0:052 8:055, 7:99, 8:1 3:1, 3:09, 3:2, 3:009 b d f h

9:43, 9:34, 9:3, 9:04 18:7, 18:71, 18:6, 19:1 7:209, 7:092, 7:902, 7:29 0:9, 0:09, 0:99, 0:099

5 Matthews best four times for an 80 m sprint are 9:9 seconds, 9:09 seconds, 9:99 seconds and 9:89 seconds. Place these times in order from fastest to slowest. 6 On Monday the US dollar could be exchanged for 0:7211 euros. This means that each US dollar was worth a little more than 72 euro cents. For the rest of the week the exchange figures were: Tuesday 0:7122, Wednesday 0:7201, Thursday 0:7102, and Friday 0:7212 . Place the exchange rates in order from highest to lowest.

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

121

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMAL NUMBERS

When adding or subtracting decimal numbers, we write the numbers under one another so the decimal points are directly underneath each other.
When this is done, the digits in each place value will also lie under one another. We then add or subtract as for whole numbers. Example 10
Notice that the decimal points are placed directly underneath each other.

Self Tutor

Find: 1:76 + 0:961 1:760 + 0:961

1 1

2:721

Example 11

Self Tutor
b 8 0:706

Find: a

a 4:632 1:507
2 12

4:6 3 2 1:5 0 7

3:1 2 5 b 8:0 0 0 0:7 0 6

7 9 9 10

Place the decimal points directly under one another and subtract as for whole numbers. We insert :000 after the 8 so we have the same number of decimal places in both numbers.

7:2 9 4

EXERCISE 6C
1 Find: a 0:3 + 0:6 d 0:2 + 0:9 + 2 g 0:071 + 0:477 j 0:021 + 0:979 2 Find: a 1:5 0:8 d 3 0:72 g 1 0:9999 j 0:083 0:009 1 b e h k b e h k 0:8 + 0:23 0:076 + 0:61 12:66 + 1:302 13:69 + 8:091 2:6 1:7 3:2 0:65 1:6 0:9 1:21 0:6 c f i l c f i l 0:17 + 1:36 11:56 + 8:072 0:0037 + 0:628 0:16 + 2:09 + 0:895 1 0:3 1 0:99 5:2 3:6 0:16 + 0:093 0:131

122

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

3 Add: a 38:76, 132:8 and 9:072 c 19:04, 360:8 and 0:0341 4 Subtract: a 8:615 from 19:837 c 11:603 from 20

b 18:61, 236:9 and 1072:4 d 0:76, 10:6, 108:77 and 0:862 b 14:86 from 28:79 d 9:674 from 68:3

5 A 20 m length of rope is cut into 4 pieces. Three of the pieces have lengths 5:62 m, 8:05 m, and 2:6 m. Find the length of the fourth piece. 6 A weightlifter snatches 135:8 kg, 142:9 kg, and 153:7 kg in consecutive lifts. Find the total mass lifted. 7 How much change would you expect from a $20 note if you purchased articles costing $8:63, $5:09 and $4:73? 8 Rosemarys Visa Card Statement is given alongside: What would be the total at the bottom of the statement? Tescos $130:80 Sports World $288:00 The Red Lion Inn $46:42 B&Q $387:95 Morrisons $59:46 Sainsburys $14:95

Taxation Private Health Cover Superannuation Union Fees

E507:90 E119:20 E95:62 E14:82

Each fortnight Alex is paid E1700 less the deductions given in the table alongside. What is Alexs actual take home pay each fortnight?

10 Continue the number sequences by writing the next three terms: a 0:1, 0:2, 0:3, ...... d 0:05, 0:06, 0:07, ...... g 7:4, 7:2, 7:0, ...... b 0:2, 0:4, 0:6, ...... e 5:2, 5:1, 5:0, ...... h 3:2, 2:8, 2:4, ...... c 0:03, 0:05, 0:07, ...... f 0:11, 0:22, 0:33, ...... i 0:6, 0:55, 0:5, ......

MULTIPLYING AND DIVIDING BY POWERS OF 10

MULTIPLICATION
Consider multiplying 2:36 by 100: 2:36 100 =
236 100

100 1

by 1000: 2:36 1000 =

236 100

1000 1

= 236

= 236 10 = 2360

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

123

When we multiply by 100, the decimal point of 2:36 shifts 2 places to the right. 2:36 becomes 236. When we multiply by 1000, the decimal point shifts 3 places to the right. 2:360 becomes 2360. When multiplying by 10n we shift the decimal point n places to the right. The number becomes 10n times larger than it was originally. Remember 101 102 103 104 . . . = 10 = 100 = 1000 = 10 000
The index or power indicates the number of zeros.

Example 12

Self Tutor
b 0:0751 100 c 13:026 10 000

Find: a 9:8 10 a 9:8 10 = 9:8 101 = 98 0:0751 100 = 0:0751 102 = 7:51 13:026 10 000 = 13:0260 104 = 130 260

f10 = 101 , so shift the decimal point 1 place right.g

f100 = 102 , so shift the decimal point 2 places right.g

f10 000 = 104 , so shift the decimal point 4 places right.g

EXERCISE 6D.1
1 a Multiply 8:7 by: b Multiply 0:073 by: 2 Find: a 38 10 d 0:8 10 g 0:6 100 j 0:053 103 i 10 i 10 ii 100 ii 1000 iii 1000 iii 104 iv 105 iv 106

b 9 100 e 0:71 100 h 0:83 100 k 0:0583 1000

c 3:2 10 f 2:8 100 i 1:89 104 l 0:187 100 000

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DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

DIVISION
Consider dividing 3:7 by 100: 3:7 100 = = =
37 100 10 1 37 1 10 100 37 1000

= 0:037 and by 1000: 3:7 1000 = =

37 1 10 1000 37 10 000

= 0:0037 When we divide by 100, the decimal point in 3:7 shifts 2 places to the left. 003:7 becomes 0:037 . When we divide by 1000, the decimal point in 3:7 shifts 3 places to the left. 0003:7 becomes 0:0037 . When dividing by 10n we shift the decimal point n places to the left. The number becomes 10n times smaller than it was originally.
Example 13

Self Tutor
b 0:18 1000 f10 = 101 , so shift the decimal point 1 place leftg

Find: a

a 0:4 10 0:4 10 = 0:4 101 = 0:04 0:18 1000 = 000:18 103 = 0:000 18

f1000 = 103 , so shift the decimal point 3 places leftg

EXERCISE 6D.2
1 a Divide 0:9 by: b Divide 70:6 by: 2 Find: a 7 10 d 463 100 g 0:8 10 j 0:07 10 m 0:0023 1000 i 10 i 100 b e h k n ii 100 ii 10 000 89 10 463 1000 0:8 1000 0:07 100 0:0028 10 000 c f i l o iii 104 iii 108 463 10 463 10 000 0:73 100 0:083 1000 0:000 51 10 000

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

125

MULTIPLYING DECIMAL NUMBERS

We can explain how decimal numbers are multiplied by first converting the decimals into fractions. For example, consider the product 4 0:03 . If we first convert to fractions, we have 4 0:03 = =
4 3 1 100 12 100

fconvert to fractionsg fmultiply fractionsg fconvert back to decimalg

= 0:12: = 0:12 From this example we see that:

we multiply the whole numbers 4 and 3 then divide by a power of 10, in this case 100. 0:4 0:05 = =
4 5 10 100 20 1000

Now consider finding 0:4 0:05. If we first convert to fractions, we have

fconvert to fractionsg fmultiply fractionsg fconvert back to decimalg

= 0:020: = 0:02 Once again we can see that

we multiply the whole numbers 4 and 5 then divide by a power of 10, in this case 1000.

With practice we do not need to convert the decimals to fractions first. We multiply the decimal numbers as though they were whole numbers, then divide by the appropriate power of 10.
Example 14

Self Tutor

Find: 0:3 0:07 0:3 0:07 = (3 7) 1000 = 21 1000 = 0:021 We multiply 0:3 by 10 and 0:07 by 100, then balance by dividing by 10 100 = 1000. fshifting the decimal point 3 places leftg

EXERCISE 6E
1 Find the value of: a 0:3 0:2 d (0:4)2 g 0:004 40 j 4000 0:6 b 0:5 0:07 e (0:06)2 h 60 0:8 k 0:04 40 000 c 0:02 0:4 f 0:03 0:004 i 600 0:07 l 0:3 0:5 0:7

126

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

2 Given that 87 213 = 18 531, a 8:7 213 b d 87 0:213 e g 0:87 2:13 h 3 Evaluate: a 0:3 6 d 0:03 700 g 0:8 0:05 j (2:5)2 m (0:2)3 p 1 + 0:2 0:3 4

evaluate: 8:7 2:13 0:87 0:213 870 0:213

c 8:7 21:3 f 8:7 0:213 i 8:7 0:002 13 c 0:03 7 f 0:6 0:8 i (0:2)2 l (0:03)2 o 25 0:0004 r (0:3 1)2

b 0:5 4:0 e 2:8 5 h 0:05 0:4 k 0:14 0:5 n (0:3)3 q 0:08 0:08 0:2

a Find the cost of 72 books at E5:75 each. b Find the cost of 8:6 m of plastic sheeting at $4:62 per metre.

5 In order to bake cakes for the school fair, I buy 180 kg of flour at $0:84 per kg and 25 kg of sugar at $1:17 per kg. How much money have I spent? 6 I load 450 bags of salt onto my lorry, each having mass 0:15 kg. Find the total mass of all bags. 7 House bricks have a mass of 4:3 kg each and I buy 2500 of them to build a wall around my courtyard. a Find the total mass of the bricks. b If my truck can carry only 2 tonnes at a time, how many truck loads are necessary to transport the bricks?

F
INVESTIGATION 1
What to do:

DIVIDING DECIMAL NUMBERS

DIVISION OF DECIMALS

1 Copy and complete the following divisions. Look for patterns to use when the divisions involve decimals. a 800 200 = , 80 20 = , 8 2 = , 0:8 0:2 = b 800 20 = , 80 2 = , 8 0:2 = , 0:8 0:02 = c 80 200 = , 8 20 = , 0:8 2 = , 0:08 0:2 = 2 In each set of divisions, what did you notice about the answers? 3 Did you find that in each set the division by the smallest whole number was the easiest?

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

127

From the Investigation you should have observed that multiplying or dividing both numbers in a division by the same factor does not change the result. This observation leads to the following rules of division: When dividing a decimal number by a whole number, carry out the division as normal, writing decimal points under each other.
Example 15

Self Tutor
b 0:417 3 b 3 0 : 4 11 27 0:1 3 9

Find: a 5

a 32:5 5 3 2 :2 5 6: 5

Make sure you write decimal points under one another.

Answer: 6:5

Answer: 0:139

When dividing a decimal number by another decimal number, write the division as a fraction. Multiply top and bottom by the same power of 10 so the denominator becomes a whole number. Then perform the division. Example 16

Self Tutor
b 0:021 1:4 b 0:021 1:4 0:021 10 = 1:4 10 = 0:21 14 = 0:015 0 . 0 1 5 0 . 2 1 0 1 4 7 0 7 0 0

Find:

a 18 0:06 a 18 0:06 18 100 = 0:06 100 = 1800 6 = 300

14

EXERCISE 6F
1 Evaluate: a 8:4 2 e 0:126 9 i 0:616 11 2 Calculate: a 0:9 0:3 e 0:8 0:16 i 0:84 0:12 3 Evaluate: a 0:36 4 e 0:08 0:4 b 15:6 3 f 1:61 7 j 0:0405 3 b 4:9 0:7 f 0:25 0:05 j 10:71 0:17 b 35 f 0:08 0:004 c 20:4 4 g 49:8 6 k 3:92 8 c 15 0:5 g 3:2 0:08 k 0:52 0:013 c 13:2 1:1 g 1:2 5 d 0:15 5 h 3:04 4 l 0:392 7 d 0:36 0:6 h 2:7 0:003 l 12:88 0:023 d 0:08 4 h 1:2 500

128

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

i 1:2 0:05 m 0:012 0:0005 q 0:035 2:5 4 Use a b c

j 0:12 5000 n 19 4 r 0:049 0:07

k 0:12 50 o 38

l 0:12 0:5 p 3:5 25

your calculator to solve the following problems: How many 5:6 m lengths of rope can be cut from a roll 151:2 m long? If E4001:80 is distributed equally amongst 17 people, how much does each get? 4 gold nuggets have mass 0:175 kg, 0:369 kg, 0:836 kg and 2:593 kg respectively. Find: i the total mass in kg ii the average mass of the 4 nuggets. d How many $1:25 packets of almonds can be bought for $25? e Determine the number of 2:4 m lengths of piping required to construct a 720 m drain. f How many tins of preserved fruit each costing $2:55 can be purchased with $58:65?

Example 17

Self Tutor
3:45 + 0:555 0:03 0:05

Use your calculator to simplify:

We must divide the whole of the numerator by the whole of the denominator, so we use the bracket keys: Key in ( 3:45 + 0:555 )

0:03 0:05 )

Answer: 2670

5 Use your calculator to simplify: 2:7 8 2 + 0:75 a b 0:3 1:1 0:4 0:06 0:25 3:2 e d 0:02 0:05 1 0:76

2:6 + 1:35 0:05 1:6 0:25 0:6 f 4 0:05 0:16

G TERMINATING AND RECURRING DECIMALS

Every rational number can be written as either a terminating or a recurring decimal.

TERMINATING DECIMALS
Terminating decimals result when the rational number has a denominator which has no prime factors other than 2 or 5. For example,
1 8

= 0:125 where the only prime factor of 8 is 2 = 0:15 where the prime factors of 20 are 2 and 5.

3 20

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

129

Example 18
1 5 1 5 17 40 17 40

Self Tutor
b 5 1 : 10 0: 2 b =
1 5

Use division to write the following fractions as decimals: a a

is really 1 5.

= 0:2

1:7 4

fdividing top and bottom by 10g 4 1 : 7 10 20 0:4 2 5

= 0:425

Another method of converting fractions to terminating decimals is to write the denominator as a power of 10. For example: for halves multiply by for fifths multiply by
2 2 5 5

to convert to tenths to convert to tenths

25 25

for quarters multiply by

Example 19
3 5 3 5 32 52 6 10

to convert to hundredths.

Self Tutor
b b = =
7 25 7 25 74 254 28 100

Write the following in decimal form, without carrying out a division: a a = = c c = =

5 8 5 8 5125 8125 625 1000

= 0:6

= 0:28

= 0:625

EXERCISE 6G.1
1 Use division to write the following fractions as terminating decimals: a f
9 10 3 40

b g

4 5 7 20

1 4

3 5

1 8

h 11 5 c
5 8

i 31 4 d
19 40

j 8 31 50 e
5 200

2 What would you multiply the following by to convert the denominators to powers of 10? a
19 20

11 50

3 Write the following as decimals without carrying out a division: a f

3 4 81 500

b g

7 5 5 4

c h

17 50 3 11 25

d i

93 200 19 1 125

e j

13 125 7 2 20

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DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

RECURRING DECIMALS
Recurring decimals repeat the same sequence of numbers without stopping. Recurring decimals result when the denominator of a rational number has one or more prime factors other than 2 or 5. For example,
3 7

= 0:428 571 428 571 428 571 ::::::

We indicate a recurring decimal by writing the full sequence once with a line over the repeated section. We can also indicate it using dots. For example,
Example 20
1 3

_ = 0:3 or 0:3

and

3 7

_ 571 _ = 0:428 571 or 0:428

Self Tutor
a
7 9

Write as decimals: a
7 9

5 11

Some decimals take a long time to recur. For example,

1 17

= 0:588235294117647

= 0:7777:::::: = 0:7 b
5 11

7: :::::: 0 : 7 7 7 7 :::::: 5 : 0 6 0 5 0 6 0 5 0 :::::: 0 : 4 5 4 5 4 ::::::

0 70 70 70

= 0:454545:::::: = 0:45

11

EXERCISE 6G.2
1 Write as recurring decimals: a
2 3

5 9

3 7

7 11

5 6

2 Use your calculator to write as recurring decimals: a

2 15

9 14

1 13

23 45

23 54

INVESTIGATION 2

CONVERTING RECURRING DECIMALS TO FRACTIONS

Although it is quite easy to convert fractions into recurring decimal form, it is not always as easy to do the reverse process. What to do: 1 Write down decimal expansions for
2 5 9, 9

and 7 9. ii 0:8 and

83 99 :

a From your results, predict the fraction equal to: i 0:4 b Copy and complete: 0:aaaaaa:::::: = 0:a = : 2 Use your calculator to write down decimal expansions for b Copy and complete: 0:abababab:::::: = 0:ab = a From your results, predict the fraction equal to: i 0:17 :

23 47 99 , 99

ii 0:53

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

131

3 Predict fractions equal to a 0:171

b 0:3628

c 0:12345

4 Sometimes the recurring part of a decimal occurs after one or more places from the decimal point. For example, 0:73 = 0:7333333:::::: Find the fraction equal to: a 0:73 b 0:92 c 0:76 d 0:ab

DECIMAL APPROXIMATIONS

We are often given measurements as decimal numbers. In such cases we approximate the decimal by rounding off to the required accuracy. We have previously seen how to round off whole numbers. For example: 3628 3630 (to the nearest 10) 3600 (to the nearest 100) 4000 (to the nearest 1000) We round off decimal numbers in the same way. For example: 0:3872 0:387 (to 3 decimal places) 0:39 (to 2 decimal places) 0:4 (to 1 decimal places)

RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF DECIMAL NUMBERS

If the digit after the one being rounded is less than 5, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, then we round down. If the digit after the one being rounded is 5 or more, i.e., 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, then we round up.
Example 21

Self Tutor
We divide to the fourth decimal place and then round to 3 decimal places.

Find

36 17

correct to 3 decimal places.

Rather than do long division, we can use a calculator. Pressing 36 17 = , So,

36 17

the result is 2:117 647 059

2:118 (to 3 decimal places)

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DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

ROUNDING DECIMAL NUMBERS USING A CALCULATOR

Most calculators have a FIX mode for rounding numbers to a certain number of decimal places. To activate the FIX mode, press MODE , select the FIX option, and then specify the number of decimal places required. While you remain in FIX mode, all answers will be given to this number of decimal places.

EXERCISE 6H
1 a Write 0:7690 correct to: i 1 decimal place b Write 0:07149 correct to: i 1 decimal place ii 2 decimal places ii 2 decimal places iii 3 decimal places. iii 4 decimal places.

2 Find decimal approximations for: a 8:7 to the nearest integer c 0:63 to 2 decimal places e 0:7 to 4 decimal places b 15:63 to the nearest tenth d 0:46 to 3 decimal places f 0:8 to 5 decimal places.

3 Use a calculator to evaluate correct to the number of decimal places shown in the square brackets: a 37 [1] b 2:4 3:79 [1] c (0:8)2 [1] 7 d (0:72)2 g (0:043)2 [2] [3] e h
8 23 2:3 0:6

[2] [3]

f 0:3 1:7 i
14 13

[2] [3]

4 Darrens batting average is calculated as 53:6853. Round this to one decimal place. 5 Romandy Gold makes an annual profit of $136:748 million. Round this figure to one decimal place. 6 Jordan shoots 32:587 points per basketball game. Round this to two decimal places. 7 Tye calculates the interest due on her savings account to be $78:1983. Round this to the nearest cent. 8 Use your calculator to round to the number of decimal places in brackets: a 4:6517 d 98:99 g 1:784 96 j 39 17 m (8:391)3 [2] [1] [4] [4] [3] b 15:1387 e 15:9962 h 17:499 k 56:9 11:7 [3] [2] [0] [3] c 8:6604 f 21:019 i 0:006 52 l (0:367) 21:62 o (8:37)2
2

[2] [1] [1] [3] [3]

n 0:637 (0:21)2 [4]

DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

133

COMPARING SIZES

How much bigger is Africa than Australia? To answer questions like this we need to obtain data from an atlas or textbook or from the internet. If we know the areas of the two continents, we can use: The number of times A is bigger than B = size of A size of B. Using the internet, we find that Africa is about 30:22 million km2 and Australia is about 7:68 million km2 . The number of times Africa is bigger than Australia is 30:22 7:68 3:94 So, Africa is almost four times bigger than Australia.

EXERCISE 6I
1 How many times higher is: a Mount Everest (8848 m) than Mount Hunter (4445 m) in Alaska? b Mount Manaslu (8163 m) in Nepal than Mount Yasus (3500 m) in Africa? c Mount Konkur (7719 m) in China than Mount Logan (5951 m) in Canada? 2 How many times is: a Asia (45:84 million km2 ) than Antarctica (14:00 million km2 ) b Africa (30:22 million km2 ) than South America (17:84 million km2 ) c Asia (45:84 million km2 ) than Australia (7:68 million km2 )? 3 How many times longer is: a the river Nile (6650 km) in Africa than the river Murray (2520 km) in Australia b the river Amazon (6400 km) in South America than the river Snake (1670 km) in the USA c the river Yangtze (6300 km) in China than the river Rhine (1320 km) in Europe? 4 Jons property is 4:63 times larger than Helens. If Helens property is 368:7 ha, find the area of Jons property.

KEY WORDS USED IN THIS CHAPTER

decimal number highest common factor recurring decimal decimal point place value simplest form expanded form rational number terminating decimal

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Areas of interaction: Human ingenuity, Environment

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DECIMAL NUMBERS (Chapter 6)

REVIEW SET 6A
1 a Convert 0:3 to a fraction. c Multiply 8:46 by 1000. e Find 70:2 100: g Evaluate 0:02 100: 3 Evaluate: 4 Write: a 0:62 + 2:531 b State the value of the digit 6 in 17:3264 : d Write 7 +
4 10

3 100

in decimal form.

f State the value of the digit 2 in 0:362: h Write 2:64 as a fraction in simplest form. b 0:28 0:43 b 0:4723 to the nearest hundredth

2 Express 23:452 as a fraction in simplest form. a 23:549 to 2 decimal places c 0.54 to 2 decimal places.

5 If you purchased articles costing $11:63, $13:72 and $21:40, how much change would you receive from a $50 note? 6 A race track is 3:2 km long. How many laps are needed to complete a 360 km race? 7 If a mans height is 1:6 times that of his daughter, who is 125 cm tall, determine the height of the man. 8 New Zealand has an area of 268:68 thousand km2 . It has a human population of 4:3 million, and is home to 40:1 million sheep. How many: a sheep are there per person b people are there per km2 ?

REVIEW SET 6B
1 a b c d e Write 0:3826 correct to 3 decimal places. State the value of the digit 5 in 46:054 . Express 4:012 as a fraction in simplest form. Given that 82 76 = 6232, evaluate 8:2 0:076 . 6 as a recurring decimal. Divide 0:42 by 100. f Write 11 a 0:375 + 2:54 b 2:8 2:4 b 0:966 and 0:696 b 3:2849 to the nearest hundredth 3 0:3 + 2:6 7 c 0:5 0:1 0:2

2 Evaluate:

3 Insert <, > or = between these pairs of numbers: a 2:01 and 2:101 4 Find: 5 Evaluate: a 0:4398 to 3 decimal places a 3 2:6 0:3 b

6 Evaluate without a calculator: a 23:42 + 361:023 b 0:72 0:012

7 Solve the following problems: a By how much does 132 exceed 130:876? b If E107:25 is shared equally between 13 people, how much does each receive? c In one day a truck delivers 48 tonnes of sand to a building site. The first 3 loads were 11:25 tonnes, 13:76 tonnes and 12:82 tonnes. How much sand was delivered in the fourth and final load?