Question

Douglas said he can find 240÷10 by taking the 0 off 240 to get 24. Douglas finds 59.20÷10 using the same method and gets 59.2. Use the drop-down menus to complete the statement about why Douglas is correct or incorrect.

Answer 1

Douglas is incorrect

Explanation:

We can remove a zero from a number that has a zero on the right of the decimal place if that zero is the last number before the decimal place. This is true for 240 divided by 10 because the zeros cancel out:

`=240/10=24`

In 59.20 this is not true. Dividing a number with a decimal place requires the decimal place to move and not cancel out the zero after the decimal place. Therefore:

`=59.20/10=5.92`