MathMaster Blog

Decimal numbers are numbers that have a decimal point followed by digits that depict the fractional part. The number of digits determines the number of decimal places.

Basic operations on decimals are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Adding decimals

• Step 1: Begin from the right-hand side, just as we add two integer numbers.
• Step 2: Write the numbers so that the decimal points are precisely lined up.
• Step 3: Place zeroes at the end to convert all to like decimals.

Example:

Find 1.8 + 2.6.

Solution:

Step1:

Write the numbers so that the decimal points are precisely lined up.

Step2:

If the decimal numbers’ lengths differ, we need to write zeroes. This step does not apply here as the size of the decimal numbers is the same. Now add the decimal numbers to determine the sum.

Tip:

Adding two decimal numbers can be viewed as a simple addition of two numbers with the decimal point added at the end in the same place as the addends.

Answer: 4.4

Subtracting decimals

• Step 1: Begin on the right-hand side, just as we subtract two integers.
• Step 2: Write the numbers in so the decimals are lined up
• Step 3: Place zeroes at the end to convert all to like decimals.

Example:

Subtract 1 from 2.89.

Solution:

Step1:

Write the numbers in so the decimals are lined up

Step2:

Put the necessary zeroes

Step3:

Calculate the difference

Answer: 1.89