Lesson 2.72.7 Small Group · Group 1
Start hereWords, worked example, and sentence starters
Learning target With my small group, I can divide with decimals by making the divisor a whole number first — one step at a time, with support.
Start hereWords for this lesson
Read each word before you begin. Say it out loud.
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| DividendSpanish: Dividendo | The total number being divided into equal groups (the number inside the division bracket). | In 84.6 ÷ 6, it is 84.6 |
| DivisorSpanish: Divisor | The number of equal groups you are dividing into (the number outside the division bracket). | In 84.6 ÷ 6, it is 6 |
| QuotientSpanish: Cociente | The answer when you divide. | 84.6 ÷ 6 = 14.1 |
| Decimal Division AlgorithmSpanish: Algoritmo de división decimal | The steps for dividing decimals: slide the divisor's decimal point right until the divisor is a whole number, slide the dividend's point right the same number of places, then divide. | 8.4 ÷ 2.1 → move the point in both → 84 ÷ 21 → divide, multiply, subtract, bring down → 4 |
| Equivalent divisionSpanish: División equivalente | Multiplying both numbers by 10 or 100 gives the same answer. | 7.56 ÷ 0.12 = 756 ÷ 12 = 63 (both multiplied by 100) |
| Annex a zeroSpanish: Agregar un cero | Write a zero after the last decimal digit without changing the value. | 7.2 → 7.20 |
How it worksWorked exampledividing a decimal by a whole number
These numbers are not on your problems. The steps are. Follow them with your own numbers.
A ribbon 82.2 meters long is cut into 4 equal pieces. How long is each piece?
- Write 82.2 inside the bracket with 4 outside. The divisor is already a whole number.
- Put the quotient's decimal point straight above the point in 82.2, then start dividing.
- Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down — one place-value column at a time.
- An amount is still left over, so annex a zero to 82.2 and keep dividing.
Answer: Each piece is 20.55 meters long.
Now you trySame steps, your turn
The steps are the same as the worked example. The numbers are yours. Do the work.
A load weighing 57.6 kilograms is split evenly into 3 boxes. How much does each box hold?
- Write inside the bracket and outside. Is the divisor whole?
- Place the quotient's decimal point directly above the point in the dividend.
- Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down until no digits are left.
- Each box holds kilograms. Check by multiplying your quotient.
Say it and write itSentence starters
Finish each sentence out loud with a partner. Then use them in your writing.
- The dividend is and the divisor is .
- I placed the decimal point because .
- When a remainder appeared I .
- I checked my quotient by .
Word bank dividenddivisorquotientdecimal pointalgorithmannexbring downplace valueestimatecheckmultiplysubtract
Watch outA common mistake
A common mistake in Divide Decimals is moving the decimal point in the divisor but forgetting to move it the same number of places in the dividend. For example, in 6.4 ÷ 0.8 a student changes 0.8 to 8 but leaves the dividend as 6.4, then divides 6.4 ÷ 8 = 0.8 instead of moving both points to get 64 ÷ 8 = 8. A second version of this mistake happens when the divisor has two decimal places, like 0.12: students move both points only 1 place instead of 2, turning 9.6 ÷ 0.12 into 96 ÷ 1.2 instead of the correct 960 ÷ 12. Count the divisor's decimal places first, then move BOTH points that same number of places.
Lesson 2.72.7 Small Group · Group 1
Group 1Supported practice
Learning target With my small group, I can divide with decimals by making the divisor a whole number first — one step at a time, with support.
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1Complete each step, then write the final answer.
After moving both points: 144 ÷ 48. Find 14.4 ÷ 4.8.
- 1How many places make 4.8 a whole number?
- 2Move the point in 14.4 one place too. What is the new dividend?
- 3How many 48s fit into 144?
Final answer: -
2Complete each step, then write the final answer.
This time both points move 2 places. Find 2.56 ÷ 0.32.
- 10.32 has 2 decimal places. How many places do both points move?
- 2Move both points. What is the new problem?
- 3How many 32s fit into 256?
Final answer: -
3Complete each step, then write the final answer.
Find 5.6 ÷ 0.7.
Show your workHint Move both points 1 place right. Then divide the whole numbers.
Final answer: -
4Complete each step, then write the final answer.
Find 22.8 ÷ 1.2.
Show your workHint Make 1.2 a whole number first. Move the point in 22.8 the same way.
Final answer:
-
5Complete each step, then write the final answer.
A runner jogs 1.5 miles each lap. How many laps does she need to run 10.5 miles?
Show your workHint Divide the total distance by the length of one lap. Make 1.5 a whole number first.
Final answer: -
6Complete each step, then write the final answer.
Leo finds 4.8 ÷ 0.6. He moves the point in 0.6 but not in 4.8. He gets 0.8. What is the correct quotient?
Show your workHint Leo moved only one point. Both points must move the same number of places.
Final answer:
Explain your thinkingWhy must you move the point in both numbers, not only in the divisor? Use Leo's mistake to explain.
Sentence starter I move the point in both numbers because ___. · Leo got 0.8, but the answer is ___ because ___.