Short division with decimals in the dividend

Look here, a division! But there is something that looks a bit different. It has a decimal number in the dividend. Now we'll see how we use the short division method when the dividend is a decimal number. 73.52 divided by 2.

We start from the left in the dividend, with seven. Two fits... three times in seven. Write three in the quotient. And two times three is six, so we get one left.

Write a small one as a memory digit after the seven. We read 1 and 3 together, so 13. Two fits in 13 six times. Write six after three in the quotient. And a small one remains, as a memory digit.

So, now we have divided all integers. When we pass the decimal point in the dividend, we also write a decimal point in the quotient! Then we can go on calculating. What do we have here then, one-five, 15, divided by two. Two fits in 15 seven times.

Add seven last in the quotient. Two times seven is 14 and we get... one left to make 15. Write another one as a memory digit. We read one and two together, 12.

Two fits in 12 six times. Write six in the quotient. Since it fit evenly, we are finished. 73.52 divided by two is 36.76. It can be a little difficult to keep track of all the decimals, so let’s take another example: 0.63 divided by three.

Three fits in zero, zero times. Add a zero in the quotient. Now we pass the decimal point in the dividend. So we write a decimal point in the quotient. Now we come to the six in the dividend.

Three fits in six two times. Write two in the quotient. The next digit in the dividend is three. Three fits in three exactly one time. Write one after the two.

0.63 divided by three is 0.21. When you divide decimal numbers with short division, it is especially important to keep track of where the decimal point ends up. To find out if you put the decimal point in the right place, you can check if your answer is reasonable.