Lesson · M.3.2

Multiplying and Dividing Decimals

Multiply decimals by ignoring the point until the end, then divide by clearing the point from the divisor first. Two rules that cover every decimal question on the HESI A2 math section.

ObjectiveM.3.2Read4 minExam weightDecimals ≈ 18% of Mathematics

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What you will be able to do

Multiply two decimals and place the decimal point in the product without a calculator.
Divide by a decimal by first turning the divisor into a whole number.
Round a repeating or long decimal quotient to the hundredths place with confidence.

What the lesson concludes

Multiply decimals as if the points were not there, then count total decimal places across both factors to place the point in the product.
You can never divide by a decimal directly. Move the divisor's point to the end, then move the dividend's point the same number of places.
A quotient that will not stop is rounded to the hundredths place unless the question says otherwise.
Trailing zeros added to a dividend do not change its value, so add as many as you need to finish the division.
Check a decimal answer against the whole-number version of the same problem. If the size looks wrong, you moved a point wrong.