Multiplying Decimals
Introduction
Multiplying decimals is very similar to multiplying whole numbers, although special attention needs to be given to the position of the decimal point.
Terms
Lesson
The most important thing to remember about multiplying decimals is to make sure that the decimal place is in the right spot. You may think at first that
but the correct answer is actually .
To multiply two decimals, first count the number of digits each number has after the decimal point. For example, .02 has two digits after the decimal point, .0034 has four digits, and .9999999 has 7 digits.
Next, forget about the decimal place and multiply the two numbers as if they were normal whole numbers. Finally, when finished, add up the number of digits each number had originally; your final answer should have that many digits after the decimal.
For example, let’s calculate . The number .0005 has four digits after the decimal and .02 has two digits. This means that our final answer will have digits after the decimal point. Next, multiply the two numbers as if there were no decimal place at all. Finally, move the decimal place six digits to the left, and we are left with our final answer, .000010, which can be simplified as .00001.
Examples
Multiplying Decimals (Example 1)
| 2 | 5 | ||
| * | 1 | 4 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| + | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 | 5 | 0 |
Multiplying Decimals (Example 2)
Multiplying Decimals (Example 3)
| 1 | ||
| 2 | 5 | |
| * | 3 | |
| + | 7 | 5 |
| 7 | 5 |
