Decimal Operations Math Example 4

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 4

hard
A 3-metre length of rope is cut into pieces, each 0.150.15 m long. How many complete pieces can be cut, and how much rope is left over?

Solution

  1. 1
    Divide: 3÷0.153 \div 0.15. Eliminate the decimal in the divisor by multiplying both by 100100: 300÷15=20300 \div 15 = 20.
  2. 2
    So 2020 complete pieces can be cut.
  3. 3
    Remainder: 3−20×0.15=3−3=03 - 20 \times 0.15 = 3 - 3 = 0 m remaining.

Answer

20 pieces, with 0 m left over20 \text{ pieces, with } 0 \text{ m left over}
To divide by a decimal, multiply both the dividend and divisor by the same power of 10 to make the divisor a whole number. This preserves the quotient while simplifying the arithmetic.

About Decimal Operations

Decimal operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — follow the same rules as whole-number arithmetic but require careful attention to decimal point placement and alignment.

Learn more about Decimal Operations →

More Decimal Operations Examples

Example 1 easy

Add [formula].

Example 2 medium

Multiply [formula] and explain how to place the decimal point.

Example 3 easy

Subtract [formula].

Example 5 medium

Calculate [formula].

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