Decimal Multiplication with Whole Numbers
Use this worksheet to teach decimal multiplication with whole numbers. Work through one example with your student before assigning independent practice.
Teaching notes for parents and teachers
Use this worksheet to teach decimal multiplication with whole numbers. Work through one example with your student before assigning independent practice.
How to teach it
Use an area or scaling example to establish a reasonable product first. Then model whole-number multiplication and explain how the factors' decimal places determine the product's place value.
Examples to explain together
Check by division: 31.5 ÷ 2 = 15.75.
Check by division: 29.73 ÷ 3 = 9.91.
If your student needs help
If your student lines up decimal points as in addition, return to the size of the factors. Discuss why multiplying a positive amount by a number between zero and one makes it smaller.
Check understanding
Have your student compare the product with the estimate. Division by a nonzero factor should give the other factor.
Make a practice set
Select the worksheet, answer key, or both. When both are selected, the answer key prints after the questions. Keep it separate if you want your student to work independently.
After your student finishes
Review one problem together. Ask your student to explain the steps, then use the answer key to check the result. Revisit a difficult step before assigning another set.
About Decimal Multiplication with Whole Numbers
Practice decimal multiplication with whole numbers. Focus on accuracy before speed. Use the space provided to record the steps you need.
How to practice
First multiply using the digits as whole numbers. Count the decimal places in both original factors. Their total tells you where to place the decimal point in the product. Include leading zeros after the decimal point when needed, then remove unnecessary trailing zeros only when the value stays unchanged.
Examples to explain together
Check by division: 31.5 ÷ 2 = 15.75.
Check by division: 29.73 ÷ 3 = 9.91.
If your student needs help
Do not align decimal points as you would for addition. Multiplying by a positive number less than one makes a positive quantity smaller, so a large answer may indicate a misplaced point.
Check understanding
Estimate the product before calculating. Divide the product by a nonzero factor to check the other factor.
Before independent practice
Work through one example together. Ask the student to explain one step, then try a few questions independently. Review the cause of an error before repeating the calculation. Compare the student’s written steps with the answer key where worked steps are provided; a correct answer alone does not show which strategy was used.