Understanding Powers of Ten
Multiplying by powers of ten is like giving your decimal number a superpower!
When you multiply a decimal by 10, 100, 1000, etc., you're simply moving the decimal point to the right. The number of places you move it matches the number of zeros in the power of ten!
How to Multiply Decimals by Powers of Ten
1️⃣ Count the zeros in the power of ten (10 has 1 zero, 100 has 2 zeros, etc.)
2️⃣ Move the decimal point to the right that many places
3️⃣ Add zeros if you run out of digits while moving the decimal
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: 3.75 × 100
100 has 2 zeros, so we move the decimal point 2 places to the right.
3.75 becomes when we move the decimal.
Example 2: 0.6 × 1000
1000 has 3 zeros, so we move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
0.6 becomes when we move the decimal.
Parent Tips 🌟
- Money makes it real: Use dollar amounts to show how multiplying by 100 converts dollars to cents ($3.25 × 100 = 325 cents).
- Create a decimal dance: Have your child physically move (like a dance step) to represent the decimal point moving.
- Play "Guess the Power": Write a decimal and its product, then have your child guess what power of ten was used.