Contents

Decimals

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Name and write decimals
Round decimals
Add and subtract decimals
Multiply and divide decimals
Convert decimals, fractions, and percents

Be Prepared 1.7

A more thorough introduction to the topics covered in this section can be found in the Prealgebra chapter, Decimals.

Name and Write Decimals

Decimals are another way of writing fractions whose denominators are powers of 10.

\begin{matrix} 0.1 & = & \frac{1}{10} & 0.1 is “one tenth” \\ 0.01 & = & \frac{1}{100} & 0.01 is “one hundredth” \\ 0.001 & = & \frac{1}{1,000} & 0.001 is “one thousandth” \\ 0.0001 & = & \frac{1}{10,000} & 0.0001 is “one ten-thousandth” \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} 0.1 & = & \frac{1}{10} & 0.1 \\ 0.01 & = & \frac{1}{100} & 0.01 \\ 0.001 & = & \frac{1}{1,000} & 0.001 is “one thousandth” \\ 0.0001 & = & \frac{1}{10,000} & 0.0001 is “one ten-thousandth” \end{matrix}

Notice that “ten thousand” is a number larger than one, but “one ten-thousandth” is a number smaller than one. The “th” at the end of the name tells you that the number is smaller than one.

When we name a whole number, the name corresponds to the place value based on the powers of ten. We read 10,000 as “ten thousand” and 10,000,000 as “ten million.” Likewise, the names of the decimal places correspond to their fraction values. Figure 1.14 shows the names of the place values to the left and right of the decimal point.

A table is shown with the title Place Value. From left to right the row reads “Hundred thousands,” “Ten thousands,” “Thousands,” “Hundreds,” “Tens,” and “Ones.” Then there is a blank cell and below it is a decimal point. To the right of this, the cells read “Tenths,” “Hundredths,” “Thousandths,” “Ten-thousandths,” and “Hundred-thousandths.”

Figure 1.14 Place value of decimal numbers are shown to the left and right of the decimal point.

Example 1.91

How to Name Decimals

Name the decimal 4.3.

Show solution

Solution

The third step reads “Step 3. Name the ‘number’ part to the right of the decimal point as if it were a whole number.” To the right of this, it reads “3 is to the right of the decimal point.” To the right of this, it reads “four and three” followed by a blank.

Try It 1.181

Name the decimal: $6.7 . 6.7 .$

Try It 1.182

Name the decimal: $5.8 . 5.8 .$

We summarize the steps needed to name a decimal below.

How To

Name a Decimal.

Step 1. Name the number to the left of the decimal point.
Step 2. Write “and” for the decimal point.
Step 3. Name the “number” part to the right of the decimal point as if it were a whole number.
Step 4. Name the decimal place of the last digit.

Example 1.92

Name the decimal: $−15.571 . −15.571 .$

Show solution

Solution

	$−15.571 −15.571$
Name the number to the left of the decimal point.	negative fifteen __________________________________
Write “and” for the decimal point.	negative fifteen and ______________________________
Name the number to the right of the decimal point.	negative fifteen and five hundred seventy-one __________
The 1 is in the thousandths place.	negative fifteen and five hundred seventy-one thousandths

Try It 1.183

Name the decimal: $−13.461 . −13.461 .$

Try It 1.184

Name the decimal: $−2.053 . −2.053 .$

When we write a check we write both the numerals and the name of the number. Let’s see how to write the decimal from the name.

Example 1.93

How to Write Decimals

Write “fourteen and twenty-four thousandths” as a decimal.

Show solution

Solution

A table is given with four steps. The first step reads “Step 1. Look for the work ‘and’ – it locates the decimal point. Place a decimal point under the word ‘and’. Translate the words before ‘and’ into the whole number and place it to the left of the decimal point.” To the right of this, we have the words “fourteen and twenty-four thousandths.” Below this word, we have “fourteen and twenty-four thousandths” with the word “and” underlined. Below this word, we have a small blank space separated from a larger blank space by a decimal point. Under this, we have 14 in the small blank space followed by the decimal point and the larger blank space.

The second step reads “Step 2. Mark the number of decimal places needed to the right of the decimal point by noting the place value indicated by the last word.” To the right of this it reads “The last word is thousandths.” To the right of this there is the number 14 followed by a decimal point and three small blank spaces. Under the blank spaces, the words “tenths,” “hundredths,” and “thousandths” are written.

The third step reads “Step 3. Translate the words after ‘and’ into the number to the right of the decimal point. Write the number in the spaces – putting the final digit in the last place.” To the right of this, we have 14 followed by a decimal followed by a blank space followed by 2 and 4 on the other two previously blank spaces.

Finally, the last step reads “Step 4. Fill in zeros for empty place holders as needed.” To the right of this, it reads “Zeros are needed in the tenths place.” To the right of this, we have 14 followed by a decimal point followed by 0, 2, and 4, respectively, on the blank spaces. Below this, we have “fourteen and twenty-four thousandths is written 14.024.”

Try It 1.185

Write as a decimal: thirteen and sixty-eight thousandths.

Try It 1.186

Write as a decimal: five and ninety-four thousandths.

We summarize the steps to writing a decimal.

How To

Write a decimal.

Step 1.
Look for the word “and”—it locates the decimal point.
- Place a decimal point under the word “and.” Translate the words before “and” into the whole number and place it to the left of the decimal point.
- If there is no “and,” write a “0” with a decimal point to its right.
Step 2. Mark the number of decimal places needed to the right of the decimal point by noting the place value indicated by the last word.
Step 3. Translate the words after “and” into the number to the right of the decimal point. Write the number in the spaces—putting the final digit in the last place.
Step 4. Fill in zeros for place holders as needed.

Round Decimals

Rounding decimals is very much like rounding whole numbers. We will round decimals with a method based on the one we used to round whole numbers.

Example 1.94

How to Round Decimals

Round 18.379 to the nearest hundredth.

Show solution

Solution

A table is given with four steps. The first step reads “Step 1: Locate the given place value and mark it with an arrow.” To the right of this, we have the number 18.379; above it, are the words hundreds place, which has an arrow pointing to the 7.

The second step reads “Step 2. Underline the digit to the right of the given place value.” To the right of this, we have 18.379 with the 9 underlined.

The third step reads “Step 3. Is this digit greater than or equal to 5? Below this reads, “Yes: add 1 to the digit in the given place value.” Below this reads, “No: do not change the digit in the given place value.” To the right of this, it says “Because 9 is greater than or equal to ” To the right of this, we have the number 18.379 with the 9 marked “delete” and the 7 marked “add 1.”

Finally, the last step reads “Step 4. Rewrite the number, removing all digits to the right of the rounding digit.” To the right of this, we have 18.38 followed by “18.38 is 18.379 rounded to the nearest hundredth.”

Try It 1.187

Round to the nearest hundredth: $1.047 . 1.047 .$

Try It 1.188

Round to the nearest hundredth: $9.173 . 9.173 .$

We summarize the steps for rounding a decimal here.

How To

Round Decimals.

Step 1. Locate the given place value and mark it with an arrow.
Step 2. Underline the digit to the right of the place value.
Step 3.
Is this digit greater than or equal to 5?
- Yes—add 1 to the digit in the given place value.
- No—do not change the digit in the given place value.
Step 4. Rewrite the number, deleting all digits to the right of the rounding digit.

Example 1.95

Round 18.379 to the nearest ⓐ tenth ⓑ whole number.

Show solution

Solution

Round 18.379

ⓐ to the nearest tenth

Locate the tenths place with an arrow.
Underline the digit to the right of the given place value.
Because 7 is greater than or equal to 5, add 1 to the 3.
Rewrite the number, deleting all digits to the right of the rounding digit.
Notice that the deleted digits were NOT replaced with zeros.	So, 18.379 rounded to the nearest tenth is 18.4.

ⓑ to the nearest whole number

Locate the ones place with an arrow.
Underline the digit to the right of the given place value.
Since 3 is not greater than or equal to 5, do not add 1 to the 8.
Rewrite the number, deleting all digits to the right of the rounding digit.
	So, 18.379 rounded to the nearest whole number is 18.

Try It 1.189

Round $6.582 6.582$ to the nearest ⓐ hundredth ⓑ tenth ⓒ whole number.

Try It 1.190

Round $15.2175 15.2175$ to the nearest ⓐ thousandth ⓑ hundredth ⓒ tenth.

Add and Subtract Decimals

To add or subtract decimals, we line up the decimal points. By lining up the decimal points this way, we can add or subtract the corresponding place values. We then add or subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers and then place the decimal point in the sum.

How To

Add or Subtract Decimals.

Step 1. Write the numbers so the decimal points line up vertically.
Step 2. Use zeros as place holders, as needed.
Step 3. Add or subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal point in the answer under the decimal points in the given numbers.

Example 1.96

Add: $23.5 + 41.38 . 23.5 + 41.38 .$

Show solution

Solution

Write the numbers so the decimal points line up vertically.	$\underset{______}{\begin{matrix} 23.5 \\ + 41.38 \end{matrix}} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} + 41.38 \end{matrix}}$
Put 0 as a placeholder after the 5 in 23.5. Remember, $\frac{5}{10} = \frac{50}{100} so 0.5 = 0.50 \frac{5}{10} = \frac{50}{100}$ .	$\begin{matrix} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} 23.50 \\ + 41.38 \end{matrix}} \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} + 41.38 \end{matrix}} \end{matrix}$
Add the numbers as if they were whole numbers. Then place the decimal point in the sum.	$\begin{matrix} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} 23.50 \\ + 41.38 \end{matrix}} \\ 64.88 \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} + 41.38 \end{matrix}} \end{matrix}$

Table 1.28

Try It 1.191

Add: $4.8 + 11.69 . 4.8 + 11.69 .$

Try It 1.192

Add: $5.123 + 18.47 . 5.123 + 18.47 .$

Example 1.97

Subtract: $20 - 14.65 . 20 - 14.65 .$

Show solution

Solution

	$20 - 14.65 20 - 14.65$
Write the numbers so the decimal points line up vertically. Remember, 20 is a whole number, so place the decimal point after the 0.	$\underset{______}{\begin{matrix} 20. \\ - 14.65 \end{matrix}} \underset{______}{\begin{matrix} - 14.65 \end{matrix}}$
Put in zeros to the right as placeholders.	$\begin{matrix} 20.00 \\ \underset{______}{−14.65} \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} \underset{______}{−14.65} \end{matrix}$
Subtract and place the decimal point in the answer.	$\begin{matrix} \underset{__________}{\begin{matrix} \overset{1}{2} \overset{\overset{9}{10}}{0} . \overset{\overset{9}{10}}{0} \overset{10}{0} \\ - 1 4 . 6 5 \end{matrix}} \\ 5 . 3 5 \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} \underset{__________}{\begin{matrix} - \end{matrix}} \end{matrix}$

Table 1.29

Try It 1.193

Subtract: $10 - 9.58 . 10 - 9.58 .$

Try It 1.194

Subtract: $50 - 37.42 . 50 - 37.42 .$

Multiply and Divide Decimals

Multiplying decimals is very much like multiplying whole numbers—we just have to determine where to place the decimal point. The procedure for multiplying decimals will make sense if we first convert them to fractions and then multiply.

So let’s see what we would get as the product of decimals by converting them to fractions first. We will do two examples side-by-side. Look for a pattern!


Convert to fractions.
Multiply.
Convert to decimals.

Notice, in the first example, we multiplied two numbers that each had one digit after the decimal point and the product had two decimal places. In the second example, we multiplied a number with one decimal place by a number with two decimal places and the product had three decimal places.

We multiply the numbers just as we do whole numbers, temporarily ignoring the decimal point. We then count the number of decimal points in the factors and that sum tells us the number of decimal places in the product.

The rules for multiplying positive and negative numbers apply to decimals, too, of course!

When multiplying two numbers,

if their signs are the same the product is positive.
if their signs are different the product is negative.

When we multiply signed decimals, first we determine the sign of the product and then multiply as if the numbers were both positive. Finally, we write the product with the appropriate sign.

How To

Multiply Decimals.

Step 1. Determine the sign of the product.
Step 2. Write in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right. Multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers, temporarily ignoring the decimal points.
Step 3. Place the decimal point. The number of decimal places in the product is the sum of the number of decimal places in the factors.
Step 4. Write the product with the appropriate sign.

Example 1.98

Multiply: $(−3.9) (4.075) . (−3.9) (4.075) .$

Show solution

Solution

	(−3.9)(4.075)
The signs are different. The product will be negative.
Write in vertical format, lining up the numbers on the right.
Multiply.
Add the number of decimal places in the factors (1 + 3). Place the decimal point 4 places from the right.
The signs are different, so the product is negative.	(−3.9)(4.075) = −15.8925

Try It 1.195

Multiply: $−4.5 (6.107) . −4.5 (6.107) .$

Try It 1.196

Multiply: $−10.79 (8.12) . −10.79 (8.12) .$

In many of your other classes, especially in the sciences, you will multiply decimals by powers of 10 (10, 100, 1000, etc.). If you multiply a few products on paper, you may notice a pattern relating the number of zeros in the power of 10 to number of decimal places we move the decimal point to the right to get the product.

How To

Multiply a Decimal by a Power of Ten.

Step 1. Move the decimal point to the right the same number of places as the number of zeros in the power of 10.
Step 2. Add zeros at the end of the number as needed.

Example 1.99

Multiply 5.63 ⓐ by 10 ⓑ by 100 ⓒ by 1,000.

Show solution

Solution

By looking at the number of zeros in the multiple of ten, we see the number of places we need to move the decimal to the right.

ⓐ

	5.63(10)
There is 1 zero in 10, so move the decimal point 1 place to the right.

ⓑ

	5.63(100)
There are 2 zeros in 100, so move the decimal point 2 places to the right.

ⓒ

	5.63(1,000)
There are 3 zeros in 1,000, so move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
A zero must be added at the end.

Try It 1.197

Multiply 2.58 ⓐ by 10 ⓑ by 100 ⓒ by 1,000.

Try It 1.198

Multiply 14.2 ⓐ by 10 ⓑ by 100 ⓒ by 1,000.

Just as with multiplication, division of decimals is very much like dividing whole numbers. We just have to figure out where the decimal point must be placed.

To divide decimals, determine what power of 10 to multiply the denominator by to make it a whole number. Then multiply the numerator by that same power of $10 . 10 .$ Because of the equivalent fractions property, we haven’t changed the value of the fraction! The effect is to move the decimal points in the numerator and denominator the same number of places to the right. For example:

\begin{matrix} \frac{0.8}{0.4} \\ \frac{0.8 (10)}{0.4 (10)} \\ \frac{8}{4} \end{matrix} \begin{matrix} \frac{0.8}{0.4} \\ \frac{0.8 (10)}{0.4 (10)} \\ \frac{8}{4} \end{matrix}

We use the rules for dividing positive and negative numbers with decimals, too. When dividing signed decimals, first determine the sign of the quotient and then divide as if the numbers were both positive. Finally, write the quotient with the appropriate sign.

We review the notation and vocabulary for division:

\underset{dividend}{a} \div \underset{divisor}{b} = \underset{quotient}{c} \underset{divisor}{b} \begin{matrix} \underset{quotient}{c} \\ \underset{dividend}{a} \end{matrix} \underset{dividend}{a} \div \underset{divisor}{b} = \underset{quotient}{c}

We’ll write the steps to take when dividing decimals, for easy reference.

How To

Divide Decimals.

Step 1. Determine the sign of the quotient.
Step 2. Make the divisor a whole number by “moving” the decimal point all the way to the right. “Move” the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places—adding zeros as needed.
Step 3. Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
Step 4. Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.

Example 1.100

Divide: $−25.56 \div (−0.06) . −25.56 \div (−0.06) .$

Show solution

Solution

Remember, you can “move” the decimals in the divisor and dividend because of the Equivalent Fractions Property.

	$−25.65 \div (−0.06) −25.65 \div (−0.06)$
The signs are the same.	The quotient is positive.
Make the divisor a whole number by “moving” the decimal point all the way to the right.
“Move” the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places.
Divide. Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
Write the quotient with the appropriate sign.	$−25.65 \div (−0.06) = 427.5 −25.65 \div (−0.06) = 427.5$

Try It 1.199

Divide: $−23.492 \div (−0.04) . −23.492 \div (−0.04) .$

Try It 1.200

Divide: $−4.11 \div (−0.12) . −4.11 \div (−0.12) .$

A common application of dividing whole numbers into decimals is when we want to find the price of one item that is sold as part of a multi-pack. For example, suppose a case of 24 water bottles costs $3.99. To find the price of one water bottle, we would divide $3.99 by 24. We show this division in Example 1.101. In calculations with money, we will round the answer to the nearest cent (hundredth).

Example 1.101

Divide: $$3.99 \div 24 . $3.99 \div 24 .$

Show solution

Solution

	$$3.99 \div 24 $3.99 \div 24$
Place the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal point in the dividend.
Divide as usual. When do we stop? Since this division involves money, we round it to the nearest cent (hundredth.) To do this, we must carry the division to the thousandths place.
Round to the nearest cent.	$$0.166 \approx $0.17 $0.166 \approx $0.17$ $$3.99 \div 24 \approx $0.17 $3.99 \div 24 \approx $0.17$

Try It 1.201

Divide: $$6.99 \div 36 . $6.99 \div 36 .$

Try It 1.202

Divide: $$4.99 \div 12 . $4.99 \div 12 .$

Convert Decimals, Fractions, and Percents

We convert decimals into fractions by identifying the place value of the last (farthest right) digit. In the decimal 0.03 the 3 is in the hundredths place, so 100 is the denominator of the fraction equivalent to 0.03.

0 0.03 = \frac{3}{100} 0

Notice, when the number to the left of the decimal is zero, we get a fraction whose numerator is less than its denominator. Fractions like this are called proper fractions.

The steps to take to convert a decimal to a fraction are summarized in the procedure box.

How To

Convert a Decimal to a Proper Fraction.

Step 1. Determine the place value of the final digit.
Step 2.
Write the fraction.
- numerator—the “numbers” to the right of the decimal point
- denominator—the place value corresponding to the final digit

Example 1.102

Write 0.374 as a fraction.

Show solution

Solution

	$0.374 0.374$
Determine the place value of the final digit.
Write the fraction for 0.374: The numerator is 374. The denominator is 1,000.	$\frac{374}{1000} \frac{374}{1000}$
Simplify the fraction.	$\frac{2 \cdot 187}{2 \cdot 500} \frac{2 \cdot 187}{2 \cdot 500}$
Divide out the common factors.	$\frac{187}{500} \frac{187}{500}$ so, $0.374 = \frac{187}{500} 0.374 = \frac{187}{500}$

Did you notice that the number of zeros in the denominator of $\frac{374}{1,000} \frac{374}{1,000}$ is the same as the number of decimal places in 0.374?

Try It 1.203

Write 0.234 as a fraction.

Try It 1.204

Write 0.024 as a fraction.

We’ve learned to convert decimals to fractions. Now we will do the reverse—convert fractions to decimals. Remember that the fraction bar means division. So $\frac{4}{5} \frac{4}{5}$ can be written $4 \div 5 4 \div 5$ or $54 . 54 .$ This leads to the following method for converting a fraction to a decimal.

How To

Convert a Fraction to a Decimal.

To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator of the fraction by the denominator of the fraction.

Example 1.103

Write $- \frac{5}{8} -$ as a decimal.

Show solution

Solution

Since a fraction bar means division, we begin by writing $\frac{5}{8} \frac{5}{8}$ as $85 . 85 .$ Now divide.

This is a long division problem with 8 dividing 5.000 and 0.625 as the quotient. Below 5.000 we have 48, a solid horizontal line, 20, 16, a solid horizontal line, 40, 40, and a final horizontal line. So five eighths equals 0.625.

Try It 1.205

Write $- \frac{7}{8} -$ as a decimal.

Try It 1.206

Write $- \frac{3}{8} -$ as a decimal.

When we divide, we will not always get a zero remainder. Sometimes the quotient ends up with a decimal that repeats. A repeating decimal is a decimal in which the last digit or group of digits repeats endlessly. A bar is placed over the repeating block of digits to indicate it repeats.

Repeating Decimal

A repeating decimal is a decimal in which the last digit or group of digits repeats endlessly.

A bar is placed over the repeating block of digits to indicate it repeats.

Example 1.104

Write $\frac{43}{22} \frac{43}{22}$ as a decimal.

Show solution

Solution

The number 43/22 is given. The direction is given to “Divide 43 by 22.” A long division problem is given with 22 dividing 43.00000 with 1.95454 as the quotient. Below 43.00000 we have 22, a solid horizontal line, 210, 198, a solid horizontal line, 120, 110, a horizontal line, 100, 88, a solid horizontal line, 120, 110, a solid horizontal line, 100, 88, a solid horizontal line, and then three dots. It is noted that the 120 repeats and that the 100 repeats. This is further explicated as “The pattern repeats, so the numbers in the quotient will repeat as well. At the end, we are given the statement that 43/22 equals 1.954 with a small horizontal line over the 54.

Try It 1.207

Write $\frac{27}{11} \frac{27}{11}$ as a decimal.

Try It 1.208

Write $\frac{51}{22} \frac{51}{22}$ as a decimal.

Sometimes we may have to simplify expressions with fractions and decimals together.

Example 1.105

Simplify: $\frac{7}{8} + 6.4 . \frac{7}{8} + 6.4 .$

Show solution

Solution

First we must change one number so both numbers are in the same form. We can change the fraction to a decimal, or change the decimal to a fraction. Usually it is easier to change the fraction to a decimal.

		$\frac{7}{8} + 6.4 \frac{7}{8} + 6.4$
Change $\frac{7}{8} \frac{7}{8}$ to a decimal.
Add.		$0.875 + 6.4 0.875 + 6.4$
		$7.275 7.275$
		So, $\frac{7}{8} + 6.4 = 7.275 \frac{7}{8} + 6.4 = 7.275$

Try It 1.209

Simplify: $\frac{3}{8} + 4.9 . \frac{3}{8} + 4.9 .$

Try It 1.210

Simplify: $5.7 + \frac{13}{20} . 5.7 + \frac{13}{20} .$

A percent is a ratio whose denominator is 100. Percent means per hundred. We use the percent symbol, %, to show percent.

Percent

A percent is a ratio whose denominator is 100.

Since a percent is a ratio, it can easily be expressed as a fraction. Percent means per 100, so the denominator of the fraction is 100. We then change the fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

	$6% 6%$	$78% 78%$	$135% 135%$
Write as a ratio with denominator 100.	$\frac{6}{100} \frac{6}{100}$	$\frac{78}{100} \frac{78}{100}$	$\frac{135}{100} \frac{135}{100}$
Change the fraction to a decimal by dividing the numerator by the denominator.	$0.06 0.06$	$0.78 0.78$	$1.35 1.35$

Table 1.30

Do you see the pattern? To convert a percent number to a decimal number, we move the decimal point two places to the left.

The first part of this figure shows 6% with an arrow drawn from between the 6 and the percentage sign to the space to the left of 6 and then to the space further to the left of that space. Below this, the number 0.06 is given. The second part of this figure shows 78% with an arrow drawn from between the 8 and the percentage sign to the space between the 7 and the 8 and then to the space to the left of the 7. Below this, the number 0.78 is given. The third part of this figure shows 2.7% with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space to the left of the 2 and then to the space further to the left of that space. Below this, the number 0.027 is given. The fourth part of this figure shows 135% with an arrow drawn from between the 5 and the percentage sign to the space between 3 and 5 and then to the space between 1 and 3. Below this, the number 1.35 is given.

Example 1.106

Convert each percent to a decimal: ⓐ 62% ⓑ 135% ⓒ 35.7%.

Show solution

Solution

ⓐ

Move the decimal point two places to the left.	$0.62 0.62$

ⓑ

Move the decimal point two places to the left.	$1.35 1.35$

ⓒ

Move the decimal point two places to the left.	$0.057 0.057$

Try It 1.211

Convert each percent to a decimal: ⓐ $9% 9%$ ⓑ $87% 87%$ ⓒ 3.9%.

Try It 1.212

Convert each percent to a decimal: ⓐ 3% ⓑ 91% ⓒ 8.3%.

Converting a decimal to a percent makes sense if we remember the definition of percent and keep place value in mind.

To convert a decimal to a percent, remember that percent means per hundred. If we change the decimal to a fraction whose denominator is 100, it is easy to change that fraction to a percent.

	$0.83 0.83$	$1.05 1.05$	$0.075 0.075$
Write as a fraction.	$\frac{83}{100} \frac{83}{100}$	$1 \frac{5}{100} 1 \frac{5}{100}$	$\frac{75}{1000} \frac{75}{1000}$
The denominator is 100.		$\frac{105}{100} \frac{105}{100}$	$\frac{7.5}{100} \frac{7.5}{100}$
Write the ratio as a percent.	$83% 83%$	$105% 105%$	$7.5% 7.5%$

Table 1.31

Recognize the pattern? To convert a decimal to a percent, we move the decimal point two places to the right and then add the percent sign.

The first part of this figure shows 0.05 with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space between 0 and 5 and then to the space after 5. Below this, the number 5% is given. The second part of this figure shows 0.83 with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space between 8 and 3 and then to the space after 3. Below this, the number 83% is given. The third part of this figure shows 1.05 with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space between 0 and 5 and then to the space after 5. Below this, the number 105% is given. The fourth part of this figure shows 0.075 with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space between 0 and 7 and then to the space between 7 and 5. Below this, the number 7.5% is given. The fifth part of this figure shows 0.3 with an arrow drawn from the decimal point to the space after 3 and then to space further to the right of that 3. Below this, the number 30% is given.

Example 1.107

Convert each decimal to a percent: ⓐ 0.51 ⓑ 1.25 ⓒ 0.093.

Show solution

Solution

ⓐ

Move the decimal point two places to the right.	$51% 51%$

ⓑ

Move the decimal point two places to the right.	$125% 125%$

ⓒ

Move the decimal point two places to the right.	$9.3% 9.3%$

Try It 1.213

Convert each decimal to a percent: ⓐ 0.17 ⓑ 1.75 ⓒ 0.0825.

Try It 1.214

Convert each decimal to a percent: ⓐ 0.41 ⓑ 2.25 ⓒ 0.0925.

Practice Makes Perfect

Name and Write Decimals

In the following exercises, write as a decimal.

531.

Twenty-nine and eighty-one hundredths

532.

Sixty-one and seventy-four hundredths

533.

Seven tenths

534.

Six tenths

535.

Twenty-nine thousandth

536.

Thirty-five thousandths

537.

Negative eleven and nine ten-thousandths

538.

Negative fifty-nine and two ten-thousandths

In the following exercises, name each decimal.

539.

5.5

540.

14.02

541.

8.71

542.

2.64

543.

0.002

544.

0.479

545.

$− 17 .9 − 17 .9$

546.

$− 31 .4 − 31 .4$

Round Decimals

In the following exercises, round each number to the nearest tenth.

547.

0.67

548.

0.49

549.

2.84

550.

4.63

In the following exercises, round each number to the nearest hundredth.

551.

0.845

552.

0.761

553.

0.299

554.

0.697

555.

4.098

556.

7.096

In the following exercises, round each number to the nearest ⓐ hundredth ⓑ tenth ⓒ whole number.

557.

5.781

558.

1.6381

559.

63.479

560.

$84 .281 84 .281$

Add and Subtract Decimals

In the following exercises, add or subtract.

561.

$16.92 + 7.56 16.92 + 7.56$

562.

$248.25 - 91.29 248.25 - 91.29$

563.

$21.76 - 30.99 21.76 - 30.99$

564.

$38.6 + 13.67 38.6 + 13.67$

565.

$−16.53 - 24.38 −16.53 - 24.38$

566.

$−19.47 - 32.58 −19.47 - 32.58$

567.

$−38.69 + 31.47 −38.69 + 31.47$

568.

$29.83 + 19.76 29.83 + 19.76$

569.

$72.5 - 100 72.5 - 100$

570.

$86.2 - 100 86.2 - 100$

571.

$15 + 0.73 15 + 0.73$

572.

$27 + 0.87 27 + 0.87$

573.

$91.95 - (−10.462) 91.95 - (−10.462)$

574.

$94.69 - (−12.678) 94.69 - (−12.678)$

575.

$55.01 - 3.7 55.01 - 3.7$

576.

$59.08 - 4.6 59.08 - 4.6$

577.

$2.51 - 7.4 2.51 - 7.4$

578.

$3.84 - 6.1 3.84 - 6.1$

Multiply and Divide Decimals

In the following exercises, multiply.

579.

$(0.24) (0.6) (0.24) (0.6)$

580.

$(0.81) (0.3) (0.81) (0.3)$

581.

$(5.9) (7.12) (5.9) (7.12)$

582.

$(2.3) (9.41) (2.3) (9.41)$

583.

$(−4.3) (2.71) (−4.3) (2.71)$

584.

$(−8.5) (1.69) (−8.5) (1.69)$

585.

$(−5.18) (−65.23) (−5.18) (−65.23)$

586.

$(−9.16) (−68.34) (−9.16) (−68.34)$

587.

$(0.06) (21.75) (0.06) (21.75)$

588.

$(0.08) (52.45) (0.08) (52.45)$

589.

$(9.24) (10) (9.24) (10)$

590.

$(6.531) (10) (6.531) (10)$

591.

$(55.2) (1000) (55.2) (1000)$

592.

$(99.4) (1000) (99.4) (1000)$

In the following exercises, divide.

593.

$4.75 \div 25 4.75 \div 25$

594.

$12.04 \div 43 12.04 \div 43$

595.

$$117.25 \div 48 $117.25 \div 48$

596.

$$109.24 \div 36 $109.24 \div 36$

597.

$0.6 \div 0.2 0.6 \div 0.2$

598.

$0.8 \div 0.4 0.8 \div 0.4$

599.

$1.44 \div (−0.3) 1.44 \div (−0.3)$

600.

$1.25 \div (−0.5) 1.25 \div (−0.5)$

601.

$−1.75 \div (−0.05) −1.75 \div (−0.05)$

602.

$−1.15 \div (−0.05) −1.15 \div (−0.05)$

603.

$5.2 \div 2.5 5.2 \div 2.5$

604.

$6.5 \div 3.25 6.5 \div 3.25$

605.

$11 \div 0.55 11 \div 0.55$

606.

$14 \div 0.35 14 \div 0.35$

Convert Decimals, Fractions and Percents

In the following exercises, write each decimal as a fraction.

607.

0.04

608.

0.19

609.

0.52

610.

0.78

611.

1.25

612.

1.35

613.

0.375

614.

0.464

615.

0.095

616.

0.085

In the following exercises, convert each fraction to a decimal.

617.

$\frac{17}{20} \frac{17}{20}$

618.

$\frac{13}{20} \frac{13}{20}$

619.

$\frac{11}{4} \frac{11}{4}$

620.

$\frac{17}{4} \frac{17}{4}$

621.

$- \frac{310}{25} -$

622.

$- \frac{284}{25} -$

623.

$\frac{15}{11} \frac{15}{11}$

624.

$\frac{18}{11} \frac{18}{11}$

625.

$\frac{15}{111} \frac{15}{111}$

626.

$\frac{25}{111} \frac{25}{111}$

627.

$2.4 + \frac{5}{8} 2.4 + \frac{5}{8}$

628.

$3.9 + \frac{9}{20} 3.9 + \frac{9}{20}$

In the following exercises, convert each percent to a decimal.

629.

630.

631.

63%

632.

71%

633.

150%

634.

250%

635.

21.4%

636.

39.3%

637.

7.8%

638.

6.4%

In the following exercises, convert each decimal to a percent.

639.

0.01

640.

0.03

641.

1.35

642.

1.56

643.

644.

645.

0.0875

646.

0.0625

647.

2.254

648.

2.317

Everyday Math

649.

Salary Increase Danny got a raise and now makes $58,965.95 a year. Round this number to the nearest
ⓐ dollar
ⓑ thousand dollars
ⓒ ten thousand dollars.

650.

New Car Purchase Selena’s new car cost $23,795.95. Round this number to the nearest
ⓐ dollar
ⓑ thousand dollars
ⓒ ten thousand dollars.

651.

Sales Tax Hyo Jin lives in San Diego. She bought a refrigerator for $1,624.99 and when the clerk calculated the sales tax it came out to exactly $142.186625. Round the sales tax to the nearest
ⓐ penny and
ⓑ dollar.

652.

Sales Tax Jennifer bought a $1,038.99 dining room set for her home in Cincinnati. She calculated the sales tax to be exactly $67.53435. Round the sales tax to the nearest
ⓐ penny and
ⓑ dollar.

653.

Paycheck Annie has two jobs. She gets paid $14.04 per hour for tutoring at City College and $8.75 per hour at a coffee shop. Last week she tutored for 8 hours and worked at the coffee shop for 15 hours.
ⓐ How much did she earn?
ⓑ If she had worked all 23 hours as a tutor instead of working both jobs, how much more would she have earned?

654.

Paycheck Jake has two jobs. He gets paid $7.95 per hour at the college cafeteria and $20.25 at the art gallery. Last week he worked 12 hours at the cafeteria and 5 hours at the art gallery.
ⓐ How much did he earn?
ⓑ If he had worked all 17 hours at the art gallery instead of working both jobs, how much more would he have earned?

Writing Exercises

655.

How does knowing about US money help you learn about decimals?

656.

Explain how you write “three and nine hundredths” as a decimal.

657.

Without solving the problem “44 is 80% of what number” think about what the solution might be. Should it be a number that is greater than 44 or less than 44? Explain your reasoning.

658.

When the Szetos sold their home, the selling price was 500% of what they had paid for the house 30 years ago. Explain what 500% means in this context.

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

$This is a table that has six rows and four columns. In the first row, which is a header row, the cells read from left to right “I can…,” “Confidently,” “With some help,” and “No-I don’t get it!” The first column below “I can…” reads “name and write decimals,” “round decimals,” “add and subtract decimals,” “multiply and divide decimals,” and “convert decimals, fractions and percents.” The rest of the cells are blank.$

ⓑ What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?