Dividing decimals by powers of 10

In this lesson, we will learn:

• How to move the decimal place when dividing decimals by powers of 10
• How to understand decimal division using base ten (block) models

Notes:

• In the last lesson, we learned that powers of ten represent the repeated multiplication (or repeated division) of the number 10.


• We learned that when multiplying decimals by powers of 10, we look at the power of 10 exponent or the number of zeroes it represents to move decimals places to the right.
• For dividing decimals by powers of 10, we will move the decimal to the left!
• When you divide any number by 1, it stays exactly the same—just like multiplying by 1
• When you divide by 10, 100, and 1000:

• If there are no more numbers when moving the decimal place to the left, fill those spaces with leading zeroes!

• We can also use base ten (block) models to divide decimals by powers of 10. There are two different models, depending on what represents one whole:
• If one whole is represented by a hundred block (square), each time you divide by 10, you turn your model into the next smaller type: from hundred square $\,$→$\,$ ten stick $\,$→$\,$ one square.

• If whole is represented by a thousand block (cube), each time you divide by 10, you turn your model into the next smaller type: from thousand cube [Symbol] hundred square $\,$→$\,$ ten stick $\,$→$\,$ one square.