Class Notes

Target Skill: Adding and Subtracting Decimals to theten-thousandths place

"to the ten-thousandths place" means there will be up to 4 digitspast the decimal point in a number1.

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ones . tenths hundredths thousandths ten-thousandths

First

, the MOST important rule when adding and subtractingdecimals is to keep the decimal points lined up (aligned)....+. and - .. .This rule does NOT work when multiplying decimals.When multiplying decimals DO NOT line up the decimal point. Ifthe decimal point does line up when multiplying, it's just afluke-not a rule.This rule does NOT work when dividing decimals.Dividing decimals has its very own rule.

Second,

once the numbers are lined up according to their decimalpoints there may be empty spaces.Fill in all empty spaces with zeros. This is called "annexingzeros".

Third

, add or subtract the decimals. When you arrive at thedecimal point, bring the decimal point straight down to theanswer position keeping it perfectly in line with all of theother decimals.NEVER, EVER add or subtract decimals across. ALWAYS add and subtract decimals up and down.