Arithmetic Grade Six
Lesson Sixty-seven: Decimal Multiplication
Multiplying decimal values is just like multiplying whole numbers except
that you have to know about how to deal with the decimal point. You should
keep in mind that the value of the digits to the right of the decimal point
are always less than one. When you multiply 1 x 1 you get 1. When you
multiply 2 x 1 you get 2. When you multiply 1 by a value which is less than
one you will get a value less than one. When you multiply 2 by a value which
is less than one you will get a value less than 2. Study these examples:
1 x .8 = .8
2 x .8 = 1.6
1 x .3 = .3
2 x .3 = .6
1 x .5 = .5
2 x .5 = 1
Decimal Notation
You should realize that there are different ways of writing
decimal values. The following are all equivalent.
0.2 = .2
2.0 = 2
0.20 = .2
0.02 = .02
In this unit we will always use the notation which requires the least number
of digits. So, instead of writing an answer as 0.2, you should write it as
.2. But, keep in mind that .02 and .2 are not the same!
.02 = 2/100 = two hundredths
.2 = 2/10 = two tenths
Continue to next page of lesson