The Power of Place Value in Division
Did you know dividing decimals follows special patterns?
When you divide a decimal by 10, 100, or 1000, the digits don't change - just their place values do! The
decimal point moves to the left, making the number smaller each time. It's like a magic trick with
numbers!
How Decimal Division Works
1️⃣ Divide by 10: Move decimal point 1 place left
2️⃣ Divide by 100: Move decimal point 2 places left
3️⃣ Divide by 1000: Move decimal point 3 places left
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: The Shrinking Cookie
A giant cookie weighs 4.5 kg. If we divide it equally among:
- 10 friends: 4.5 ÷ 10 = [Click for answer] kg each
- 100 friends: 4.5 ÷ 100 = [Click for answer] kg each
- 1000 friends: 4.5 ÷ 1000 = [Click for answer] kg each
Notice how the decimal point moves left each time!
Example 2: Money Division Challenge
You have $36.80 to share:
Parent Tips 🌟
- Kitchen Math: Practice with measuring ingredients - "If we need 2.5 cups of flour for 10 muffins, how much per muffin?"
- Money Moves: Use real coins to show how $1 becomes 10 dimes (÷10) or 100 pennies (÷100).
- Place Value Chart: Create a chart with movable decimal point to visualize the pattern.