Introducing decimal fraction place value.

I am learning how tenths arise out of division.

e.g. 3 ÷ 2 = 1 whole and 5 tenths

Below are 3 whole chocolate bars. Each chocolate bar is made up of ten pieces. You can just see the ten pieces through the wrapping.

chocolate

chocolate

chocolate

We need to share the chocolate between two people (Steph, John).

Step 1: Give each person a whole bar.

John

Steph

Step 2: We need to remove the chocolate bar from the wrapper so we can share these tenths between John and Steph.

5 tenths go to Steph and 5 tenths go to John

1 2 3 4 5

Steph

John

Both John and Steph have 1 whole and 5 tenths.

Number of tenths

Below are 4 whole chocolate bars. Each chocolate bar is made up of ten pieces. You can just see the ten pieces through the wrapping.

chocolate

chocolate

chocolate

We need to share the chocolate between five people (Adam, Bruce, Craig, Dave and Ed).

Step 1: There are 5 people and only 4 bars so we can’t give out whole bars. First we must remove the wrappers. So we can share out the tenths.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of tenths

Bruce

Craig

chocolate

Step 2: Share them out. We have 40 tenths and 5 people what is 40 ÷ 5 = ?8, so each person must get 8 tenths

Adam

Dave

Ed

Each person received 8 tenths.

Now try these questions on your own. You may need some blocks to help you work these out.

Need some more practise? Try Teacher Tools Addition and Subtraction Book or Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Book Numeracy resources

1) 6 ÷ 4 = ?

2) 6 ÷ 5 = ?

3) 8 ÷ 10 = ?

4) 7 ÷ 5 = ?

5) 7 ÷ 2 = ?

Click again when you have completed each question and the answer will be displayed.

1 whole and 5 tenths

1 whole and 2 tenths

8 tenths

1 whole and 4 tenths

3 wholes and 5 tenths

Record how many wholes there are and how many tenths.