• Learning Platform
• /
• Knowledge Base
• /
• Dividing Decimals – Meaning With Examples

Dividing Decimals – Meaning With Examples

Rachelle Bencio Yu

Updated on July 30, 2026

To divide decimals, first turn the divisor into a whole number by moving its decimal point to the right, then move the dividend’s decimal point the same number of places and divide as you would with whole numbers. For example, 1.36 ÷ 0.4 becomes 13.6 ÷ 4 = 3.4. Students usually learn to divide decimals in grades 5 and 6, in line with U.S. Common Core standards 5.NBT.B.7 and 6.NS.B.3.

How to Divide Decimals

Dividing decimals works much like long division with whole numbers, plus one extra step for the decimal point. Follow this method:

1. Write the problem with the dividend inside the division bracket and the divisor outside.
2. Move the decimal point in the divisor to the right until it becomes a whole number, and count the moves.
3. Move the decimal point in the dividend the same number of places (adding zeros if needed).
4. Divide as you normally would with whole numbers.
5. Place the decimal point in the quotient directly above its new position in the dividend.

Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

When the divisor is already a whole number, you divide exactly as with whole numbers and simply carry the decimal point straight up into the quotient. Write the decimal dividend under the bracket and the whole-number divisor outside, divide digit by digit, and place the decimal point in the answer directly above where it sits in the dividend.

Dividing a Decimal by Another Decimal

When both numbers are decimals, the goal is to make the divisor a whole number. Shift its decimal point to the right, shift the dividend’s point the same number of places, and then divide. This is the same idea used in multiplying decimals, where tracking place value carefully is what keeps the answer correct.

Dividing Decimals by 10, 100, and 1000

Dividing by a power of 10 just shifts the decimal point to the left — one place for 10, two for 100, three for 1000:

Dividing Decimals: Solved Examples

Here are worked examples covering each case:

• 0.75 ÷ 3 = 0.25 (decimal divided by a whole number).
• 1.36 ÷ 0.4 = 3.4 (decimal divided by a decimal).
• 0.48 ÷ 0.2 = 2.4 (decimal divided by a decimal).
• 0.57 ÷ 10 = 0.057 (divide by 10).
• 0.57 ÷ 100 = 0.0057 (divide by 100).

Practice Problems on Dividing Decimals

Try these problems, then check your answers below:

1. 0.64 ÷ 8
2. 1.75 ÷ 0.5
3. 0.006 ÷ 1000
4. 1.36 ÷ 0.4
5. 0.0025 ÷ 10

Answer key: 1) 0.08  2) 3.5  3) 0.000006  4) 3.4  5) 0.00025.

Dividing Decimals Worksheets

Put this into practice with related Brighterly worksheets:

• Multiplying and dividing decimals worksheets
• 5th grade decimal worksheets
• Decimals worksheets
• Grade 5 long division worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions About Dividing Decimals

What Is the Trick to Dividing Decimals?

The trick is to turn the problem into whole-number division. Move the divisor’s decimal point to the right until it becomes a whole number, and move the dividend’s decimal point the same number of places. This does not change the answer, because you are effectively multiplying both numbers by the same power of 10. Then divide as usual and place the decimal point in the quotient above the dividend.

How Do You Divide Decimals Step by Step?

Set up the problem with the dividend inside the bracket. Shift the divisor’s decimal point right to make it a whole number, and shift the dividend’s point the same number of places. Divide digit by digit as you would with whole numbers, then place the decimal point in the answer directly above its new position in the dividend. Keep going until the division is complete.

How Do You Divide Decimals by 10, 100, and 1000?

Move the decimal point to the left by the number of zeros in the divisor. Dividing by 10 shifts it one place left (0.75 becomes 0.075), by 100 shifts it two places (0.0075), and by 1000 shifts it three places (0.00075). No long division is needed — you are just reducing each digit’s place value.

What Grade Do Students Learn to Divide Decimals?

Students typically learn to divide decimals in grades 5 and 6. Under U.S. Common Core standards, grade 5 introduces dividing decimals to hundredths (5.NBT.B.7) and grade 6 expects fluent division of multi-digit decimals (6.NS.B.3). Extra support at this stage is common, and a 5th grade math tutor can help reinforce the method.

Why Do You Move the Decimal Point When Dividing?

You move the decimal point to turn the divisor into a whole number, which makes the division straightforward. Moving both decimal points the same number of places multiplies the dividend and divisor by the same power of 10, so their ratio — and therefore the answer — stays exactly the same. It is a bookkeeping step, not a change to the value.

What Are Some Real-Life Uses of Dividing Decimals?

Dividing decimals comes up whenever you split money, measurements, or quantities into equal parts — figuring out a price per item, sharing a bill, or converting units. Because it shows up so often, teachers look for engaging ways to introduce it; Brighterly’s guide on how to teach decimals offers practical classroom and at-home ideas.

Rachelle Bencio Yu

53 articles

Rachelle Bencio Yu is a qualified tutor with more than 15 years of experience teaching math to children from Pre-K to 12th grade. Currently, she is one of the best teachers at Brighterly educational platform and an author of educational content on the Brighterly blog.