Page 1 of 1
Multiplying decimals
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:36 pm
by mh1
Can anyonew advise the best/simplist technique to teach a young child on multiplying decimals e.g. 0.62*0.53
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:05 pm
by Guest55
Use grid multiplication on 62 x 53 each number is 100 times bigger so the answer will need to be divided by 10000.
0.62 x 0.53
What level is your child working at?
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:09 pm
by mh1
Guest 55
Thank you for the response.
Thats the tecnique I had in mind - was wandering whether theres any other easier methods?
My child is KS2 level
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:52 pm
by Guest55
This is quite high level so I don't think there is an easier way.
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:57 pm
by katel
I don't think they do multiplying decimals in KS2.
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:08 am
by perplexed
Well I'm not 100% sure whether multiplying decimals is in the KS2 syllabus or not (anyone have a good link through to the definitive KS2 maths syllabus?) but I have seen it in commercially available KS2 revision guides.
But, Katel, if it is definitely not in the KS2 syllabus what is your advice for a parent of a child sitting a selective entry exam which definitely will require some kind of understanding of this?
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:24 pm
by Mike
Hi
0.62 x 0.53
First, ignore the decimal points.
Giving 62 x 53
Breakdown the sum into two parts
62 x 50 = 3100
62 x 3 = 186
Add the sum of both parts together
3286
Go back to the original sum and count how many numbers there are on the right of the decimal point, there are two numbers for each part of the sum, making four in total.
From the right hand side of 3286 count four places to the left and insert a decimal point giving .3286. I prefer 0.3286.
Regards
Mike