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When you divide a decimal by 10, 100 and 1000, the place value of the digits decreases.

The digits move to the right since the number gets smaller, but remember, the decimal point does not move.

Dividing decimals helps you in everyday life. It helps:

• convert pence into pounds
• convert measures, such as grams to kilograms and litres to millilitres
• convert length, for example if you needed to work out how many centimetres were in metres

You can use place value charts to help divide by 10, 100 and 1000. This helps you to see how the digits change in value.

A trick to help you remember how many places the digits need to move is by looking at the zeros in 10, 100 and 1000.

For example, there are 3 zeros in 1000, so you need to move the digits 3 places to the right to divide by 1000.

• x10 - 1 zero move 1 place
• x100 - 2 zeros move 2 places
• x1000 - 3 zeros move 3 places

What is 24 ÷ 10?

Look at the place value chart to see how the digits move one place to the right.

You now need to include a decimal point in the answer to show that the 4 is now worth 4 tenths.

24 ÷ 10 = 2.4

Sara has collected a mixture of pounds and pennies. She has worked out that it's 723 pence altogether, but what is that amount in pounds?

There are 100 pennies in a pound so the calculation is:

723 ÷ 100 = ?

See how each digit has moved two place values to the right?

723 ÷ 100 = 7.23

What is 6510 ÷ 1000?

The digits have moved to the right since they are decreasing in value, this time three places.

The zero has moved to the thousandths column, but you don’t have to write it in your answer.

6510 ÷ 1000 = 6.51

Let's see how well you know this topic. Take the quiz below to find out.

Ask your parent or guardian to give you a small handful of coins, or draw some coins on small pieces of paper.

Count how much money you have altogether and write it down, including a decimal place.

For example, one pound fifty would be:£1.50.

If you have got less than a pound it should look something like this:46p = £0.46 .

Next, use some of the techniques you have learned in this guide to answer the following:

• How much would you have if you had one tenth of the money?

• How much would you have if you had one hundredth of the money?

• How much would you have if you had one thousandth of the money ?