Dividing decimals by decimals means finding how many times one decimal number fits into another. The goal is to make the divisor (the number you are dividing by) a whole number so the division becomes easier to compute.
Whenever you divide decimals, you can use place-value reasoning to help you understand the size of each number.
To divide decimals, make the divisor a whole number by moving the decimal point to the right. You must move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places.
You are not changing the value of the problem—only the form—because you multiply both numbers by the same power of ten.
When the divisor is already a whole number, you divide normally and place the decimal point in the quotient directly above its position in the dividend.
If the dividend does not have enough digits, you may add zeros to continue dividing.
When you divide by a decimal smaller than one, the quotient is often greater than the dividend because you are splitting it into smaller parts.
This is the opposite of dividing by a number greater than one, where the result becomes smaller.
After making the divisor a whole number, use long division to divide the adjusted numbers. Continue dividing until you reach a remainder of zero or a repeating pattern.
If the division does not come out evenly, continue adding zeros to the right of the dividend to complete the process.
Decimal division is used in measurement, money, science, recipes, and comparing quantities. Understanding how to divide decimals helps you interpret real-world information accurately.
Always check whether the divisor is less than one or greater than one—this helps you predict whether your answer should be larger or smaller than the original number.