4 Decimals

4.1 Ordering decimals

Exercise 4.1 Key words

Focus compare
decimal number
1 Complete the workings to write these numbers in order of size,
order
starting with the smallest.
5.51 5.08 5.21 5.17
All the numbers have the same whole number part, so you only need
to compare the decimal parts.
Step 1: Write the decimal parts only: 51, 08, 21, 17
Step 2: Now write in order the decimal parts only: 08, 17, ,
Step 3: Now write the complete numbers in order: 5.08, , ,
2 Use the same method as in Question 1 to write these decimal numbers
in order of size, starting with the smallest.
a 4.29, 4.16, 4.95, 4.91
Write the decimal parts only:
Write in order the decimal parts only:
Write the complete numbers in order:
b 8.94, 8.49, 8.95, 8.47
Write the decimal parts only:
Write in order the decimal parts only:
Write the complete numbers in order:
c 0.19, 0.15, 0.13, 0.01
Write the decimal parts only:
Write in order the decimal parts only:
Write the complete numbers in order:

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4 Decimals

3 Write the correct sign, < or >, between each pair of numbers.
a 7.27 7.23 b 9.71 9.83 Tip
c 20.17 20.09 d 3.9 3.65 In each part, the
4 Write the correct sign, < or >, between each pair of numbers. whole numbers
are the same. So
Use the number line to help you. you only need
a −5.2 −5.7 to compare the
b −6.5 −6.2 –9 –8 –7 –6 –5 decimal parts. In
a –5.7 –5.2 Q3a, 27 > 23 so
c −7.2 −7.5 7.27 > 7.23.
d −8.8 −8.9
5 Write the correct sign, < or >, between each pair of measurements.
Copy and complete the working.
a 3.5 g 380 mg 3.5 g = 3.5 × 1000 = 3500 mg 3500 mg 380 mg
b 0.4 t 845 kg 0.4 t = 0.4 × 1000 = kg kg 845 kg
c 2.5 cm 48 mm 2.5 cm = 2.5 × 10 = mm mm 48 mm
d 950 g 0.08 kg 0.08 kg = 0.08 × 1000 = g 950 g g
e 2500 m 1.9 km 1.9 km = 1.9 × 1000 = m 2500 m m
f 250 cm 6.5 m 6.5 m = 6.5 × 100 = cm 250 cm cm

Practice
6 Write the decimal numbers in each set in order of size, starting
with the smallest.
a 45.454, 45.545, 45.399, 45.933
b 5.183, 5.077, 5.044, 5.009
c 31.425, 31.148, 31.41, 31.14
d 7.502, 7.052, 7.02, 7.2
7 Write the correct sign, = or ≠, between each pair of measurements.
Tip
a 205.5 cm 255 mm b 0.125 g 125 mg
Start by
c 500 g 0.05 kg d 10.5 t 1050 kg
converting one of
e 0.22 kg 220 g f 1.75 km 175 m the measurements
8 Write the correct sign, < or >, between each pair of numbers. so that both
a 9.1 9.03 b 56.4 56.35 measurements are
in the same units.
c 0.66 0.606 d 3.505 3.7
e 0.77 t 806 kg f 7800 m 0.8 km
g 3.5 kg 375 g h 156.3 cm 1234 mm

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 4.1 Ordering decimals

9 Write the measurements in each set in order of size, starting with

Tip
the smallest.
a 4.3 cm, 27 mm, 0.2 cm, 7 mm Make sure all the
b 34.5 cm, 500 mm, 29 cm, 19.5 mm measurements
are in the same
c 2000 g, 75.75 kg, 5550 g, 3 kg
units before you
d 1.75 kg, 1975 g, 0.9 kg, 1800 g start to order
e 0.125 g, 100 mg, 0.2 g, 150 mg them.
f 25 km, 2750 m, 0.05 km, 999 m
10 Write the correct sign, < or >, between each pair of numbers.
Tip
a −2.3 −2.4 b −7.23 −7.29
c −0.15 −0.08 d −11.02 −11.5 Draw a number
line to help if you
11 Write these decimal numbers in order of size, starting with want to.
the smallest.
a −8.34, −8.06, −8.28, −8.8 b −1.425, −1.78, −1.03, −1.5

Challenge
12 Frank and Sarina run around a park every day.
They keep a record of the distances they run each day for 10 days.
These are the distances Frank runs each day.
400 m 2.4 km 0.8 km 3200 m 32 km 1.2 km
1.6 km 2000 m 3.6 km 1200 m

a Which distance do you think Frank has written down

incorrectly? Explain your answer.
These are the distances Sarina runs each day.
2 km 4000 m 0.75 km 3.5 km 1000 m 3000 m
1.25 km 0.5 km 3250 m 1.75 km

b Sarina says the longest distance she ran is almost ten times the
shortest distance she ran.
Is Sarina correct? Explain your answer.
Frank and Sarina run in different parks.
The distance round one of the parks is 250 m. The distance round
the other park is 400 m.
Frank and Sarina always run a whole number of times around
their park.
c Who do you think runs in each park? Explain how you made
your decision.

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4 Decimals

13 Each card describes a sequence of decimal numbers.

A First term: −7.5 Term-to-term rule: ‘add 0.3’

B First term: −1.71 Term-to-term rule: ‘multiply by 2’

C First term: −9.95 Term-to-term rule: ‘add 1.5’

a Work out the third term of each sequence.
b Write the numbers from part a in order of size, starting with
the smallest.
14 y is a number with two decimal places, and −1.43 ≤ y < −1.38
Write all the possible numbers that y could be.
15 The formula to convert a temperature in degrees Centigrade (C) to
degrees Fahrenheit (F) is
F = C × 1.8 + 32
a Use a calculator to work out F when C = −38.6
b Which is colder, a temperature of −38.6 ºC or −38.6 ºF?
Explain your answer.

4.2 Multiplying decimals

You already know that multiplying a number by 0.1 is the same as
dividing the number by 10.
Key word
estimation

×0.1 is the same as ÷10

Exercise 4.2
Focus
1 Look at these rules.

×0.2 is the same as ÷10 and ×2 ×0.3 is the same as ÷10 and ×3
OR ×2 and ÷10 OR ×3 and ÷10

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 4.2 Multiplying decimals

Follow the pattern to complete these rules.

a ×0.4 is the same as ÷10 and ×
OR × and ÷10
b ×0.6 is the same as ÷10 and ×
OR × and ÷10
2 To multiply a number by 0.2
e.g. 60 × 0.2
• divide the number by 10, then multiply by 2 OR 60 ÷ 10 = 6 and 6 × 2 = 12
• multiply the number by 2, then divide by 10. OR 60 ×2 = 120 and 120 ÷ 10 = 12
Copy and complete the workings.
a 30 × 0.2 30 ÷ 10 = 3 and 3 × 2 =
b −40 × 0.2 −40 ÷ = and × 2=
c 12 × 0.2 12 × 2 = 24 and ÷ 10 =
d −8 × 0.2 −8 × 2 = and ÷ =
3 To multiply a number by 0.3
• divide the number by 10, then multiply by 3 OR
• multiply the number by 3, then divide by 10.
Copy and complete the workings.
a 30 × 0.3 30 ÷ 10 = 3 and ×3=
b −50 × 0.3 −50 ÷ = and ×3=
c 15 × 0.3 15 × 3= 45 and 45 ÷ 10 =
d −9 × 0.3 −9 × 3 = and ÷ =
4 To multiply a number by 0.02
• divide the number by 100, then multiply by 2 OR
• multiply the number by 2, then divide by 100.
Copy and complete the workings.
a 500 × 0.02 500 ÷ 100 = 5 and 5 × 2 =
b −600 × 0.02 −600 ÷ = and × 2=
c 25 × 0.02 25 × 2 = 50 and 50 ÷ 100 =
d −4 × 0.02 −4 × 2 = and ÷ =
5 To multiply a number by 0.03
• divide the number by 100, then multiply by 3 OR
• multiply the number by 3, then divide by 100.
Copy and complete the workings.
a 500 × 0.03 500 ÷ 100 = 5 and 5 × 3 =
b −700 × 0.03 −700 ÷ = and ×3=
c 12 × 0.03 12 × 3 = 36 and 36 ÷ 100 =
d −3 × 0.03 −3 × 3 = and ÷ =

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4 Decimals

Practice
6 Work out
a 0.1 × −9 b 0.3 × 5 c 0.5 × −12
d 0.7 × 6 e 0.9 × −8
7 Work these out.
All the answers are in the cloud.
a −6 × 0.04 b −12 × 0.2 −0.024 −24 −2.4 −0.24
c −24 × 0.001 d −800 × 0.03
8 Here are five calculation cards.
A −24 × 0.52 B 0.07 × −180
C 0.03 × −430 D −20 × 0.65
E 0.9 × −15
a Work out the answer to each calculation.
b Write the answers in order of size, starting with the smallest.
9 a Copy and complete these patterns.
i 3×3=9 ii 4 × 7 = 28
0.3 × 3 = 0.4 × 7 =
0.3 × 0.3 = 0.4 × 0.7 =
0.3 × 0.03 = 0.4 × 0.07 =
0.3 × 0.003 = 0.4 × 0.007 =
b Work out
i 0.1 × 0.05 ii 0.4 × 0.6
iii 0.08 × 0.3 iv 0.02 × 0.08
v 0.12 × 0.4 vi 0.04 × 0.15
10 a Sort these cards into groups of equal value.
You should have one card left over.
A 0.04 × 0.03 B 0.8 × 0.02
C 0.03 × 0.06 D 0.002 × 0.9
E 0.001 × 16 F 0.05 × 0.4
G 0.6 × 0.002 H 0.012 × 0.1
I 0.04 × 0.4 J 0.18 × 0.01
b Write a different card that could go in the same group as the
card that is left over.

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 4.2 Multiplying decimals

11 a Work out 234 × 56

b Use your answer to part a to write the answers to these calculations.
i 23.4 × 56 ii 234 × 5.6
iii 23.4 × 5.6 iv 2.34 × 5.6
v 23.4 × 0.56 vi 2.34 × 0.056

Challenge
12 Work out these multiplications. Show how to check your answers.
Tip
a 7.2 × 8.3 b 0.24 × 4.5
c 0.87 × 6.35 d 0.61 × 0.742 Use estimation
to check your
13 This is part of Tom’s homework.
answers by
rounding all the
Question numbers in the
question to one
Work out significant figure.
a 0.23 × 6.9 b 82 × 0.003 c 0.078 × 0.005
Answers
a 1.587 b 0.0246 c 0.0039

Use estimation to check if Tom’s answers could be correct.

If you think they are incorrect, explain why.
14 A chainsaw uses petrol and oil.
The instructions for the chainsaw are:
Mix 31.25 mL of oil with 1 litre of petrol.
a Work out an estimate of the volume of oil (mL) that are needed
to mix with 2.4 litres of petrol.
b Calculate the accurate volume of oil (mL) that is needed to mix
with 2.4 litres of petrol.
15 Jay is mixing concrete. She has 32.5 kg of concrete. She uses an
Tip
additive to make the concrete waterproof.
The instructions for the concrete mixture are: An additive is an
ingredient added
Mix 0.03 litres of additive with 1 kg concrete. to something in
small amounts
a Work out an estimate of the volume of additive, in litres, that
to improve it in
Jay needs.
some way.
b Calculate the accurate volume of additive, in litres, that
Jay needs.

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4 Decimals

16 The formula to convert a temperature in degrees Centigrade (C)

to degrees Fahrenheit (F) is
F = C × 1.8 + 32
a Work out F when
i C = −15 ii C = −20
b Read what Marcus says.

I want to find the whole number

value of C that gets an answer closest to F = 0
I think the closest I can get to F = 0
is when C = −17

Is Marcus correct? Explain your answer.

4.3 Dividing by decimals

When you divide a number by a decimal, use the place value of the
decimal to work out an easier equivalent calculation. An easier equivalent
Key words
calculation is to divide by a whole number instead of a decimal. equivalent
For example, you can write 6.3 ÷ 0.7 as 6.3 calculation
0.7 place value
Multiplying the numerator and denominator of the fraction by 10 reverse
gives 6.3 × 10 = 63 calculation
0.7 × 10 7 short division
This makes an equivalent calculation that is much easier to do, because
dividing by 7 is much easier than dividing by 0.7. term-to-term rule

Exercise 4.3
Focus
1 Copy and complete these divisions.
1.6 1.6 × 10
a 1.6 ÷ 0.4 = = =
0.4 0.4 × 10

4.5 4.5 × 10
b 4.5 ÷ 0.9 = = =
0.9 0.9 × 10

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 4.3 Dividing by decimals

−24 −24 × 10 Tip

c −24 ÷ 0.3 = = =
0.3 0.3 × 10
Remember:
−21 −21 × 10
d −21 ÷ 0.7 = = = positive ÷ positive = positive
0.7 0.7 × 10
negative ÷ positive = negative
2 Match each grey card with the correct white answer card.
A 1.8 ÷ 0.2 i 7

B 2.1 ÷ 0.3 ii 4

C 2.5 ÷ 0.5 iii 9

D 2.4 ÷ 0.6 iv 8

E 7.2 ÷ 0.9 v 5
3 Copy and complete these divisions.
Tip
2 2 × 10
a 2 ÷ 0.4 = = = You can use
0.4 0.4 × 10
exactly the same
3 × 10 method as in
b 3 ÷ 0.5 = 3 = =
0.5 0.5 × 10 Question 1.

−6 × 10
c −6 ÷ 0.2 = −6 = =
0.2 0.2 × 10

−4 × 10
d −4 ÷ 0.8 = −4 = =
0.8 0.8 × 10

4 This is part of Mia’s homework.

Mia has made a mistake in her solution. Question
a Explain the mistake she has made. Work out 40 ÷ 0.5
b Work out the correct answer.
Answer
40 ÷ 0.5 = 40
0.5
40
= 40 = 8
0.5 × 10 5
5 Which of these calculation cards is the odd one out?
Explain why.
A 60 ÷ 0.5 B 24 ÷ 0.2 C 44 ÷ 0.4 D 12 ÷ 0.1 E 36 ÷ 0.3

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4 Decimals

Practice Tip
6 Work out Follow these steps.
a 0.78 ÷ 0.3
1 Write the division as a fraction.
b 6.56 ÷ 0.4
2 Multiply the numerator and denominator by 10.
c −984 ÷ 0.8
d −189 ÷ 0.7 3 Use short division to work out the answer.

7 Harry pays $2.58 for a piece of ribbon 0.6 m long.

Harry uses this formula to work out the cost of the ribbon per metre.
price of piece
cost per metre = Tip
length of piece
What is the cost of the ribbon per metre? Remember to
round the number
8 For each division, work out
you are dividing:
i an estimate of the answer to one significant
ii the accurate answer. figure, e.g.
a 49.5 ÷ 0.3 b −936 ÷ 0.4 276 ÷ 3 ≈
c 31.5 ÷ 0.5 d −351 ÷ 0.6 300 ÷ 3 = 100
OR
e 58.94 ÷ 0.7 f −3808 ÷ 0.8
to a number that
9 a Complete the table below showing the 13 times table.
is easier to divide,
e.g. 502 ÷ 7 ≈
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
490 ÷ 7 = 70
13 26 39

b Use the table to help you work out 75.53 ÷ 1.3

Tip
c Show how to check your answer to part b is correct.
Use estimation and a reverse calculation. Your rounded
answer to
10 a Complete the table below showing the 19 times table.
Question 9 part
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 b × 13 should
equal about 755.
19 38 57

b Ana buys a piece of metal for $47.12.

Tip
The piece of metal is 1.9 m long.
Work out the cost per metre of the metal. In Question 10
part b, you can
c Show how to check your answer to part b is correct.
use the same
Use estimation and a reverse calculation. formula as in
Question 7.

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 4.3 Dividing by decimals

Challenge
11 Work with a partner to answer this question.
a Elin works out that 654 × 32 = 20 928
Use Elin’s calculation to work out
i 20 928 ÷ 32 ii 20 928 ÷ 654
iii 20 928 ÷ 3.2 iv 20 928 ÷ 65.4
Tip
b Explain the method you used to work out the answers to part a.
c Use Elin’s calculation to work out You only need
to work out the
i 2092.8 ÷ 3.2 ii 209.28 ÷ 3.2
division to one
iii 20.928 ÷ 3.2 iv 2.0928 ÷ 3.2 decimal place
d Explain the method you used to work out the answers to part c. more than
12 Work out. Give each answer to the degree of accuracy shown. the degree of
a 2.97 ÷ 0.7 (1 d.p.) b 76.94 ÷ 1.3 (2 d.p.) accuracy you
need.
c −5479 ÷ 1.8 (3 d.p.)
13 The diagram shows a triangle with an area of 8.84 m2.
Tip
height Remember, the
area = 8.84 m2 formula for
the area of a
5.2 m triangle is area =
1
The base length of the triangle is 5.2 m. 2
× base × height
Meghan works out that the height of the triangle is 3.64 m.
a Show that Meghan is wrong.
b Work out the correct height of the triangle. Show all your working.
14 The diagram shows a compound shape.
xm

2.7 m area = 8.58 m2

1.4 m

3.9 m
The area of the shape is 8.58 m2.
Work out the length x m.
Explain how you worked out your answer.
Show all your working.

57
4 Decimals

15 Carlos makes this number sequence, but he has spilled tea on his work.

This is my number sequence:

1st term 2nd term 3rd term 4th term
6  7.2  8.64  10.368
My term-to-term rule is: multiply by   1.2

Carlos thinks the term-to-term rule is multiply by 0.8.

a Is Carlos correct? Explain your answer.
b Work out the missing numbers under the tea.
Explain how you worked out your answers.

4.4 Making decimal

calculations easier
Exercise 4.4 Key word

Focus factor

1 Copy and complete the workings for these questions.

0.54
All the answers are in the rectangle.
a (0.2 + 0.1) × 0.4 b (0.9 – 0.7) × 0.3 0.06
= × 0.4 = × 0.3 0.16
= = 0.12
c (0.4 + 0.5) × 0.6 d (0.8 – 0.6) × 0.8
= × 0.6 = × 0.8
= =

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 4.4 Making decimal calculations easier

2 Copy and complete the workings to make these calculations easier.

All the missing numbers are in the trapezium.
21.6  1.8  42
a 60 × 0.9 b 42 × 0.9
= 60 × (1 – 0.1) = 42 × (1 – 0.1) 37.8  54  24
= 60 × 1 – 60 × 0.1 = 42 × 1 – 42 × 0.1 2.4   4.2  18
= 60 – 6 = – 16.2
= =
c 18 × 0.9 d 24 × 0.9
= 18 × (1 – 0.1) = 24 × (1 – 0.1)
= 18 × 1 – 18 × 0.1 = 24 × 1 – 24 × 0.1
= – = –
= =
3 Work out the answers to these calculations.
Look for different ways to make the calculations easier.
They have all been started for you.
a 2.5 × 5.7 × 4 b 2.5 × 24.1 × 4
2.5 × 4 = 10 2.5 × 4 =
10 × 5.7 = × 24.1 =

d 0.3 × 1.3
c 8 × 1.2 × 2.5
0.1
8 × 2.5 = 20
0.3
20 × 1.2 = 2 × 10 × 1.2 = 0.3 × 10 =
0.1
= 2 × 12
× 1.3 =
=

e (42 + 18) × 0.8 f (23 + 27) × 0.7

42 + 18 = 60 23 + 27 =
60 × 0.8 = 60 ÷ 10 × 8 × 0.7 = ÷ 10 ×
= ×8 = ×
= =

g (530 – 230) × 0.08 h (670 – 270) × 0.03

530 – 230 = 300 670 – 270 =
300 × 0.08 = 300 ÷ 100 × 8 × 0.03 = ÷ 100 ×
= ×8 = ×
= =

59
4 Decimals

4 Complete the workings. Use factors to make these calculations easier.

a 16 × 0.35 b 12 × 0.45
= 16 × 0.5 × 0.7 = 12 × 0.5 × 0.9
= 8 × 0.7 = × 0.9
= × 7 ÷ 10 = × 9 ÷ 10
= ÷ 10 = ÷ 10
= =
c 18 × 0.15 d 26 × 0.35
= 18 × 0.5 × 0.3 = 26 × 0.5 × 0.7
= × 0.3 = × 0.7
= × 3 ÷ 10 = × 7 ÷ 10
= ÷ 10 = ÷ 10
= =

Practice
5 Work out. Use the same method as in Question 1.
a (0.5 + 0.1) × 0.4 b (0.3 + 0.5) × 0.7
c (0.9 – 0.3) × 1.1 d (1.7 – 1.3) × 1.2
6 Work out. Use the same method as in Question 2.
a 16 × 0.9 b 36 × 0.9 c 5.2 × 0.9
0.9 m
7 The diagram shows a rectangle.
The width is 0.9 m and the length is 8.7 m.
8.7 m
Work out the area of the rectangle.
8 Work out Tip
a 48 × 9.9 b 48 × 0.99
48 × 9.9 = 48 × (10 – 0.1)
c 1.2 × 9.9 d 1.2 × 0.99
9 The diagram shows a square of side length 0.99 m. 48 × 0.99 = 48 × (1 – 0.01)
The formula for the perimeter of a square is
perimeter = 4 × side length

Work out the perimeter of the square. 0.99 m

10 The diagram shows an equilateral triangle of side length 9.9 m.
The formula for the perimeter of an equilateral triangle is
perimeter = 3 × side length 9.9 m
Work out the perimeter of the equilateral triangle.

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 4.4 Making decimal calculations easier

11 Work out. Look for different ways to make the calculations easier.
a 2.5 × 26.5 × 4 b 8 × 63.4 × 2.5
c 0.4 × 1.6 d 0.6 × 4.21
0.1 0.1
e (280 + 170) × 0.3 f (980 – 580) × 0.03
12 Work out. Use the same method as in Question 4.
a 70 × 0.15 b 124 × 0.35

Challenge
13 A formula used in maths is
a
S=
1− r

a Work out the value of S when a = 5.6 and r = 0.6

b Work out the value of a when S = 36 and r = 0.8
14 The diagram shows a square of side length 9.9 m.
Work out
a the perimeter of the square
b the area of the square.
15 A formula used in science is 9.9 m
F = ma Tip
a Work out the value of F when m = 26 and a = 0.45 Remember that
b Work out the value of m when F = 20.8 and a = 0.4 ma means m × a
16 Work out using the factor method.
a 350 × 0.16 (use 0.16 = 0.2 × 0.8)
b 130 × 0.21 (use 0.21 = 0.3 × 0.7)
17 Here are four formula cards.
Use the cards to work out the value of e when a = 425

e=
(d − 28) × 0.03 d = c × 0.45
0.4

c = 4 × (b + 33) × 2.5 b = a × 0.12

61