Multiplying decimals, step by step
Multiplying decimals is a whole-number multiplication with the point put back afterwards.
The question
3.29 × 8.04
3.29×8.04
329×804=264516
3.29→ 2 figures
8.04→ 2 figures
2645164 from the right
3.29×8.04=26.4516
- Do NOT line the points up — that is for adding. For a multiply, take the points off and do it as whole numbers first.
- 329 × 804 = 264516. Ordinary times-tables, nothing decimal about it.
- Now count the figures after the points in the QUESTION: 2 figures in 3.29 and 2 figures in 8.04 — 4 altogether.
- So the answer gets 4 too. Count 4 in from the right of 264516 and put the point there: 26.4516.
How it works.
- 01
Do NOT line the points up — that is for adding. For a multiply, take the points off and do it as whole numbers first.
- 02
329 × 804 = 264516. Ordinary times-tables, nothing decimal about it.
- 03
Now count the figures after the points in the QUESTION: 2 figures in 3.29 and 2 figures in 8.04 — 4 altogether.
- 04
So the answer gets 4 too. Count 4 in from the right of 264516 and put the point there: 26.4516.