1

1  1. 6.
24
2.
3. 7.
4.
5.
 Decimal
Operations
Addition & Subtraction of Decimal Numbers,
Multiplication & Division of Decimal Numbers

According to TASC, no calculators for these.

Adding decimals is much like adding whole numbers.
The “trick” is to make sure you have lined up the place value
columns correctly (KEEP THE DECIMALS IN 1 COLUMN).

Example add: 0.37 + 13.5 + 2.638 = is changed to:

0 .3 7 0 .3 7 0
1 3 .5 Or better 1 3 .5 0 0
+ 2 .6 3 8 + 2 .6 3 8
1 6 .5 0 8
Try this one next…

Example add: 0.236 + 2.4 + 2.87 = is changed to:

0 .2 3 6
2 .4 Or better
+ 2 .8 7
Try this one next…

Example add: 0.236 + 2.4 + 2.87 = is changed to:

0 .2 3 6 0 .2 3 6
2 .4 Or better 2 .4 0 0
+ 2 .8 7 + 2 .8 7 0
5 .5 0 6
Try this one next…

Example add: 0.51 + 1.401 + 12.94 = is changed to:

Subtracting decimals is much like adding decimals, but you
subtract AFTER you line up the decimals in one column.

Example subtract: 14.512 – 8.7 = is changed to:

1 4 .5 1 2 Or better 1 4 .5 1 2
- 8 .7 - 8 .7 0 0
5 .8 1 2
Try this one next…

Example subtract: 9.0 – 3.604 = is changed to:

9 .0 Or better
- 3 .6 0 4
Try this one next…

Example subtract: 9.0 – 3.604 = is changed to:

8 9
9 .0 Or better 9 .0 90 10
- 3 .6 0 4 - 3 .6 0 4
5 .3 9 6
Try these two next…

1 2 .5 Then… 1 7 .2 9 4
- 0 .7 - 0 .8
Try these two next…
Then…

1 2 .5 6 1
1 7 .2 9 4
- 0 .7 - 0 .8 0 0
1 1 .8 1 6 .4 9 4
Try this one…

15.002 - 4.3
 Multiplication of Decimals
The rules here are, multiply the numbers, then adjust the
decimal in the answer. There has to be the same number
of decimal places in the answer as the total in the math.

Example: 2.6 x .45 becomes… 26

x 45
2.6 130
SO WE CHANGE 1170 TO
THERE ARE 1 AND 2 + 1040
x .45 DECIMAL PLACES = 3
TOTAL DECIMAL PLACES IN 1170 → 1.170
THE MATH.
 Try this one…
Example: 5.3 X 0.5 becomes…
 Try this one…
Example: 5.3 X 0.5 becomes…

5.3
SO WE CHANGE 265 TO
265 →
THERE ARE 1 AND 1
x 0.5
DECIMAL PLACES = 2 2.65
TOTAL DECIMAL PLACES IN
THE MATH.
 Try this one…
Example: 15.2 X 2.3 becomes…
 Division of Decimals
The rules here are, figure out where the decimal belongs in the
answer before you divide the numbers. Put the decimal point in
the QUOTIENT right above the one inside the division “box”

Example: Divide 14.4 by 6 6 14.4

will become…
 Division of Decimals
The rules here are, figure out where the decimal belongs in the
answer before you divide the numbers. Put the decimal point in
the QUOTIENT right above the one inside the division “box”
2.4
Example: Divide 14.4 by 6 6 14.4
will become… -12
24
- 24
0
 Try this one…
Example: Divide 20.45 by 5 5 20.45
will become…
 Try this one…
4.09
Example: Divide 20.45 by 5 5 20.45
will become… - 20
4
45
- 45
0
There’s one trick in Division of decimals…

If the divisor is a decimal, you must move the decimal points

before you start in BOTH divisor and dividend before you start.

Example: divide 4.9 by 0.35 becomes…

14.
0.35 4.9 which must become 35 490.
Divide 31.2 by 6
There’s one trick in Division of decimals…

If the divisor is a decimal, you must move the decimal points

before you start in BOTH divisor and dividend before you start.

Example: divide 4.9 by 0.35 becomes…

14.
0.35 4.9 which must become 35 490.
- 35
140
- 140
0
Divide 0.28 by 0.7
Try these four now…
rewrite them as necessary

ADD 2.8 and 9.46

SUBTRACT 10 minus 7.89
MULTIPLY 13.5 times 0.25
DIVIDE 2.76 by 0.6
ADD 2.8 and 9.46

Becomes…
ADD 2.8 and 9.46

Becomes… 2.80
+ 9.46
12.26
SUBTRACT 10 minus 7.89

Becomes…
SUBTRACT 10 minus 7.89

Becomes… 1 0 .0 0
- 7 .8 9
2 .1 1
MULTIPLY 13.5 times 0.25

Becomes…
You do not have to line up the
decimals in multiplication, just count
the places, and fix your answer.
MULTIPLY 13.5 times 0.25

1 0 5
Becomes… x 2 5
13.5 2 6 2 5
The answer must get 3 decimal
X .25 places… The right answer is
2.625
DIVIDE 2.76 by 0.6
Becomes… 0.6 2.76

Which changes to…

DIVIDE 2.76 by 0.6
Becomes… 0.6 2.76
4.6
Which changes to… 6 27.6
- 24
36
- 36
0