Question

One way to divide decimal numbers is to use an equivalent expression.

Complete the statements below to explain one way to find 8.4 ÷ 2.1.

Answer 1

10

4

Explanation:

To determine how much a decimal was multiplied, you need to find how many places the decimal moved.

In this case we can see the decimal moved once. How many times the decimal moved can be represented by the zeros in the number. So 10 = 1

100 = 2 1,000 = 3 and it keeps going.

So since the decimal moved 1 time, the answer to question one is 10

Now question 2.

Both 8.4 ÷ 2.1 and 84 ÷ 21 will give the exact same answer. It is just easier to solve. So solve which one is easier for you. I did 84 ÷ 21.

84 ÷ 21 = 4

We can verify our answer by multiplying the the divisor by the quotient

21 * 4 = 84

So 4 is the answer to question 2