The decimal fraction point.

I am learning to use the shorthand for tenths.

e.g. 0.1, 0.2, 0.3

There is a quicker way to write wholes and tenths.

The position to the right of the decimal point is known as the tenths column.

You will already be familiar with the names of columns for whole numbers.

3 4 8

hundreds tens ones

.4

tenths

Now we can write the following numbers using this short hand for tenths.

4 wholes and 2 tenths 4.2

1.91 whole and 9 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 six people (Annelise, Beth, Cath, Daisy, Erica and Fiona).

Step 1: There are 6 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.

Step 2: Share them out. We have 30 tenths and 6 people what is 30 ÷ 6 = ? 5, so each person must get 5 tenths

Annelise Beth Cath Daisy Erica Fiona

Each person got 5 tenths. That is 0.5 or half a chocolate bar.

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) 14 ÷ 4 = ?

2) 18 ÷ 12 = ?

3) 6 ÷ 12 = ?

4) 13 ÷ 5 = ?

5) 19 ÷ 5 = ?

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

3.5

1.5

0.5

2.6

3.8