The main idea is to remove the decimal points first, then divide like whole numbers, and finally place the decimal point in your answer.

Method: Convert Decimals to Whole Numbers

Step 1: Write the division as a fraction. Step 2: Multiply both the top and bottom numbers by the same power of 10 (10, 100, or 1000) to remove all decimal points. Step 3: Divide the whole numbers. Step 4: Check how many decimal places you used - your answer should have no more than three.

Example 1: Dividing a Decimal by a Whole Number

$0.35 \div 7 = ?$

Solution

Write as a fraction: $\frac{0.35}{7}$

Multiply top and bottom by 100 to remove the decimal:

$\frac{0.35 \times 100}{7 \times 100} = \frac{35}{700}$

Divide 35 by 700:

$35 \div 700 = 0.05$

Therefore, $0.35 \div 7 = 0.05$

Example 2: Dividing a Whole Number by a Decimal

$24 \div 0.2 = ?$

Solution

Write as a fraction: $\frac{24}{0.2}$

Multiply top and bottom by 10 to remove the decimal:

$\frac{24 \times 10}{0.2 \times 10} = \frac{240}{2}$

Divide 240 by 2:

$240 \div 2 = 120$

Therefore, $24 \div 0.2 = 120$

Example 3: Dividing Decimal by Decimal (from textbook)

A rope of length 43.94 metres was divided into 52 equal pieces. How long was each piece?

Solution

$43.94 \div 52 = ?$

Write as a fraction: $\frac{43.94}{52}$

Multiply top and bottom by 100:

$\frac{43.94 \times 100}{52 \times 100} = \frac{4394}{5200}$

Divide 4394 by 5200:

$4394 \div 5200 = 0.845$

Therefore, each piece is 0.845 metres long.

Example 4: Dividing Two Decimals

$52.32 \div 0.05 = ?$

Solution

Write as a fraction: $\frac{52.32}{0.05}$

Multiply top and bottom by 100:

$\frac{52.32 \times 100}{0.05 \times 100} = \frac{5232}{5}$

Divide 5232 by 5:

$5232 \div 5 = 1046.4$

Therefore, $52.32 \div 0.05 = 1046.4$

• When dividing decimals, always remove decimal points first by multiplying both numbers by the same power of 10.
• The number of decimal places in your answer depends on how many times you multiplied.
• Your answer should have no more than three decimal places.
• Zeros at the end of a decimal do not change its value (for example, 0.50 is the same as 0.5).

In Tanzanian markets, traders often divide bulk goods like rice or beans when selling smaller amounts. For example, if a trader has 43.94 kg of rice and wants to divide it equally among 52 customers, each customer gets 0.845 kg of rice. This skill helps in fair distribution and accurate measurement during buying and selling.