Divide decimals by whole numbers: word problems

key notes :

Understanding Decimal Division

  • Dividing a decimal number by a whole number means distributing the decimal value into equal parts.
  • The quotient may be a whole number or a decimal.

Steps to Divide Decimals by Whole Numbers

  • Place the decimal point in the quotient directly above the decimal in the dividend.
  • Perform long division as with whole numbers.
  • If necessary, add zeros to the right of the dividend to continue dividing.

Real-Life Applications

  • Money-related problems (e.g., splitting $12.75 among 5 people).
  • Measurement problems (e.g., dividing 4.8 liters of juice into 6 bottles).
  • Distance and time calculations (e.g., dividing 7.2 km into equal segments).

Key Strategies for Solving Word Problems

  • Read Carefully – Identify the dividend (decimal number) and divisor (whole number).
  • Estimate First – Helps check if the answer is reasonable.
  • Solve Using Long Division – Follow the standard division steps.
  • Interpret the Answer – Ensure it makes sense in the problem’s context.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Misplacing the decimal in the quotient.
  • Forgetting to add zeroes when necessary.
  • Incorrect rounding when required.

Learn with an example

▶️ Neil bought 5 rolls of paper towels. He got 408.7 metres of paper towels in all. How many metres of paper towels were on each roll?

Add zeroes after the decimal point in the number you are dividing. Divide until there is no remainder.

There were 81.74 metres of paper towels on each roll.

▶️ A lollipop factory used 298.91 kilograms of sugar to make 5 batches of lollipops. How much sugar did the factory put in each batch?

Add zeroes after the decimal point in the number you are dividing. Divide until there is no remainder.

The factory put 59.782 kilograms of sugar in each batch of lollipops.

▶️ An orchard produced 918.21 litres of fresh-squeezed orange juice over the course of 3 days. How much orange juice was produced each day, on average?

Divide until there is no remainder.

The orchard produced 306.07 litres of orange juice each day.

Let’s practice!