i need to know the product of 0.5 and 3.5

Question

I just need to work out the problem because i did bad on a test and im doing it again to change my grade but i dont understand how to work out the problem so i was wondering if anyone could help me?

Answer 1

 

Hi Roshea

 

You can do this problem several ways.

 

The standard way of multiplying and then adding the decimal in, the combined number of digits from the end.

 

For instance, the decimal is 1 space from the end in 0.5 and 1 space from the end in 2.5. So the decimal would go 2 spaces from the end in the answer.

 

  3.5

x 0.5

  175

 

two spaces from the end = 1.75

 

 

Another way to do this is by knowing 0.5 is half (1/2). It's half of the other number.. when you multiply by a decimal you are taking a fraction of that number.

 

When you take half the number, you can picture the decimal gone and even add a zero if it makes it easier..

 

half of 350 is 175

put the decimal back in the same number of spaces..

half of 3.50 is 1.75

 

 

Answer 2

Pretend the decimal points are not even there.  So you would be multiplying whole numbers.

 

35 x 5 = 175

 

 

Then we imagine there is a decimal point after the digit 5 in the product.  Move that decimal point 2 places to the left.  Therefore,

 

0.5 x 3.5 = 1.75

Answer 3

Note: 0 preceding the decimal has no value.

So, look at the numbers and multiply

them as though there were no decimals.

5 x 35 = 175

Count the TOTAL places (numbers) after

the decimal. In this case, there are 2.

Count that many places from the

right and insert your decimal.

This result would be 1.75.

I hope this explains how to multiply

decimals.

Go Get Your "A"