Operations on Decimals

A decimal number is a number that is expressed in base 10 and includes a decimal point. It has a whole number part and the fractional part separated by a dot. The dot in a decimal number is called a decimal point. The digits following the decimal point show a value smaller than one.

Like decimals: Whose decimal places are the same. It means the number of digits after the decimal are same.

For example, 39.87 and 45.36.

Unlike decimals: Whose decimal places are not the same. It means the number of digits after the decimal are not same.

For example, 31.5 and 46.005.

Operations on Decimals

In mathematics, the four basic operations on decimals are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

1. Addition

To add decimals, align the decimal points and add the numbers from right to left.

If one number has more decimal places than the other, add zeros to the end of the shorter number to match the decimal places of the long number. This process is called as padding.

2. Subtraction

To subtract decimals, align the decimal points and subtract the numbers from right to left.

If one number has more decimal places than the other, add zeros to the end of the shorter number to match the decimal places of the long number.

3. Multiplication

To multiply decimals, multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, then count the total number of decimal places from the original numbers. Starting from the right, count the desired places and put the decimal point there.

4. Division

To divide decimals, place the divisor (the number being divided by) to the right of the dividend (the number being divided) with a decimal point and as many zeros as necessary to make the divisor a whole number. Then divide as usual.