Decimal division is the process of dividing numbers that contain decimal points. It might seem complicated at first, but it follows simple rules. Let's look at an example: dividing 2.4 by 0.6. First, we can remove the decimal points and divide 24 by 6, which equals 4. Since both numbers had one decimal place, our answer is simply 4.
The fundamental rule of decimal division is to move the decimal points equally in both the dividend and divisor. For example, when dividing 1.2 by 0.3, we move both decimal points one place to the right, giving us 12 divided by 3, which equals 4. Similarly, 0.15 divided by 0.05 becomes 15 divided by 5, which equals 3.
Sometimes we need to use long division for decimal problems. Let's divide 7.5 by 2.5. First, we make the divisor a whole number by moving both decimal points one place right, giving us 75 divided by 25. Then we set up long division and solve: 75 divided by 25 equals 3. This method works for any decimal division problem.
Decimal division can result in different types of answers. When we divide 3.6 by 1.2, we convert to 36 divided by 12, which gives us 3 - a whole number. But when we divide 1.5 by 0.4, we get 15 divided by 4, which equals 3.75 - a decimal answer. The result depends on whether the numbers divide evenly or not.