Dividing Decimals

“Swingin’ Monkeys”
Swinging Monkeys!

Follow these steps and you will

be great at dividing decimals!

Remember: Whatever the

OUTSIDE monkeys do – the
INSIDE monkeys do also!
Division Vocabulary
“Roof”
Quotient
.2 12.64
“Outside”
Divisor
“Inside”
Dividend
Division Vocabulary
12.64 ÷ .2
12.64 divided by .2

.2 12.64
 Steps in Dividing Decimals

1. Make the divisor (outside number) a whole number by

moving (swingin’) the decimal to the right as many places as
it takes to make it a WHOLE NUMBER.

2. In MONKEY TERMS: Whatever the outside monkey does

(how far it swings) the inside monkey does also. Then the
monkey climbs up and sits on the roof!
 Swingin’ Monkeys

Divisor .2 12.64
Moved (swung)
the decimal point
1 place to the
right
 Steps in Dividing Decimals

2. Move (swing) the decimal point in the dividend the same

number of places as the divisor.

.2 12.64 Dividend

Moved (swung)
the decimal point
1 place to the
right
Steps in Dividing Decimals –
Swingin’ Monkeys

.2 12.64
 Steps in Dividing Decimals –
Swingin’ Monkeys
3. Place (swing) the decimal point in the answer (quotient)
lined up with the decimal point in the dividend (on the roof).

.2 12.64
 Steps in Dividing Decimals
4. Now, divide as usual!

2 126.4
 Steps in Dividing Decimals
4. Divide the numbers. Make sure the decimal point stays
lined up.

63 2
2 126.4
12
6
6
4
What is actually happening . . .

 When you move  When you move

the decimal one the decimal two
place to the right to places to the right
create a WHOLE to create a WHOLE
number – you are number – you are
actually multiplying actually multiplying
it by 10! it by 100!
 Three?
Let’s Practice

Remember: The more neatly

you write and keep the numbers
lined up, the BETTER!
Your Turn - Practice

1) 14.2 ÷ 0.2 =

2) 25.5 ÷ 1.5 =