Section22 Arithmetic Operations On Decimals
Section22 Arithmetic Operations On Decimals
53.76
10
25.6
10
=
53.76
10
10
25.6
= 53.76 25.6 =
537.6
10
256
10
=
537.6
10
10
256
= 537.6 256
=
5376
10
2560
10
=
5376
10
10
2560
= 5376 2560
It follows that one can move the decimal points of the divident and the
divisor the same number of digits to the right without aecting the original
division. This leads to the following algorithm: Move the decimal points as
much as necessary so that the divisor becomes a whole number. In this case,
the division can be handled as with whole numbers division with the decimal
point placed directly over the decimal point of the dividend. We illustrate
this algorithm in the next example.
Example 22.6
Compute 537.6 2.56.
Solution.
Example 22.7
Compute 0.32 1.2032.
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Solution.
Practice Problems
Problem 22.9
Perform the following multiplications and divisions by hand.
(a) (37.1) (4.7)
(b) (3.71) (0.47)
(c) 138.33 5.3
(d) 1.3833 0.53
Problem 22.10
Kristina bought pairs of gloves as Christmas presents for three of her best
friends. If the gloves cost $9.72 a pair, how much did she spend for these
presents?
Problem 22.11
Yolanda also bought identical pairs of gloves for each of her four best friends.
If her total bill was $44.92, how much did each pair of gloves cost?
Problem 22.12
Show how to compute 2 0.18 using a rectangular area model.
Problem 22.13
The product 34.56 6.2 has the digits 214272. Explain how to place the
decimal point by counting decimal places.
Problem 22.14
A runner burns about 0.12 calorie per minute per kilogram of body mass.
How many calories does a 60-kg runner burn in a 10-minute run?
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Problem 22.15
A fth grader says 50 4.44 is the same as 0.50 444 which is 222. Is this
right?
Problem 22.16
A fth grader says 0.2 0.3 = 0.6
(a) Why do you think the child did the problem this way?
(b) What would you tell the child?
Problem 22.17
Show how to work out 0.6 3 with rectangular area model.
Problem 22.18
What do you multiply both numbers with to change 6.4 0.32 to 640 32.?
Problem 22.19
Which of the following are equal?
(a) 8 0.23 (b) 800 0.0023 (c) 80 2.3 (d) 0.8 0.023 (e) 80 0.023
Problem 22.20
A sixth grader divides 16 by 3 and gets 5.1
(a) How did the child obtain this answer?
(b) What concept doesnt the child understand?
Problem 22.21
Find the next three decimal numbers in the following geometric sequence: 1,
0.5, 0.25, 0.125
Problem 22.22
Perform the following operations using the algorithms of this section.
(a) 5.23 0.034
(b) 8.272 1.76
Problem 22.23
Mentally determine which of the following division problems have the same
quotient.
(a) 1680 56 (b) 0.168 0.056 (c) 0.168 0.56
Problem 22.24
Perform the following calculations.
(a) 2.16
1
3
(b) 2
1
5
1.55 (c) 16.4
4
9
.
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Problem 22.25
We have seen that if the prime factorization of the numerator and the denom-
inator of a fraction contains only 2s and 5s then the decimal representation
is a terminating one. For example,
2
5
= 0.4. On the other hand, if the prime
factorization have prime factors other than 2 and 5 then the decimal repre-
sentation is nonterminating and repeating one. For example,
1
3
= 0.3.
Write each of the following using a bar over the repetend.
(a) 0.7777 (b) 0.47121212 (c) 0.35 (d) 0.45315961596
Problem 22.26
Write out the rst 12 decimal places of each of the following.
(a) 0.3174 (b) 0.3174 (c) 0.3174
Problem 22.27
If a decimal number is nonterminating and repeating then one can rewrite
it as a fraction. To see this, let x = 0.34. Then 100x = 34 + 0.34. That is,
100x = 34 + x or 99x = 34. Hence, x =
34
99
.
Use the above approach to express each of the following as a fraction in
simplest form.
(a) 0.16 (b) 0.387 (c) 0.725
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