fractionsDecimals · Year 6 · Suggested learning sequence
Multiply a decimal by a whole number
Rename the decimal as tenths or hundredths so it becomes a whole number. 0.4 is 4 tenths, so 0.4 × 3 is 12 tenths, which is 1.2. 2.35 is 235 hundredths, so 2.35 × 4 is 940 hundredths, which is 9.4. Estimate first to check where the point goes: 2.35 × 4 is a bit more than 2 × 4 = 8.
Sample questions
0.4 × 5 = ?
- 0.4 is 4 tenths.
- 4 × 5 = 20, so the product is 20 tenths.
- 20 tenths = 2, so 0.4 × 5 = 2
Answer: 2
0.3 × 7 = ?
- 0.3 is 3 tenths.
- 3 × 7 = 21, so the product is 21 tenths.
- 21 tenths = 2.1, so 0.3 × 7 = 2.1
Answer: 2.1
0.2 × 4 = ?
- 0.2 is 2 tenths.
- 2 × 4 = 8, so the product is 8 tenths.
- 8 tenths = 0.8, so 0.2 × 4 = 0.8
Answer: 0.8