Divide decimals by 10 100 1000
for 6th grade

Divide decimals by 10 100 1000

Due to the fact that our number system is base 10, dividing decimal numbers by powers of 10 is relatively simple. The digits of the number move around, and there are maybe zeros to add or remove, but the other digits all stay the same. Remember that when we divide numbers by any number greater than 1 they get smaller so check this once your done.

Let's get our terms straight.

dividend ÷ divisor = quotient

237.4567 ÷ 1000 = 0.2374567

So for the sum 237.4567 ÷ 1000 = 0.2374567,

• 237.4567 is the dividend
• 1000 is the divisor
• 0.2374567 is the quotient

When the divisor is 10 the quotient is 10x smaller than the dividend. When the divisor is 1000 the quotient is 1000x smaller than the dividend.

Divide decimals by 10, 100 or 1000 : move the digits

Write the number to be divided down. Keep the digital point still and move all the digits of the number to be divided to the right relative to it. If we are dividing by 10, all the digits move 1 place. If we are dividing by 100, all the digits will move 2 spaces, and for dividing by 1000, it is 3 digits.

237.4 ÷ 10 = 23.74

237.4 ÷ 100 = 2.374

237.4 ÷ 1000 = 0.2374

Alternative method : move the point

Another way of thinking about it is to keep the number static and move the decimal point - when the divisor is 1000 by three places to the left, one for each of the zeros in 1000.

Dividing by 10 is the same as multiplying by the inverse of 10 which is 1/10 or 0.1, and dividing by 100 is the same as multiplying by it's inverse 1/100 or 0.01.