Fractions and Decimals

MULTIPLICATION OF FRACTIONS

You know how to find the area of a rectangle. It is equal to length × breadth. If the length and breadth of a rectangle are 7 cm and 4 cm respectively, then what will be its area? Its area would be 7 × 4 = 28 cm².

What will be the area of the rectangle if its length and breadth are \(7\frac{1}{2}\) cm and \(3\frac{1}{2}\)cm respectively? You will say it will be \(7\frac{1}{2}\times 3\frac{1}{2}\)= \(\frac{15}{2}\times \frac{7}{2}\) cm² . The numbers \(\frac{15}{2}\) and \(\frac{7}{2}\) are fractions. To calculate the area of the given rectangle, we need to know how to multiply fractions. We shall learn that now.

Multiplication of a Fraction by a Whole Number:

 Fig 2.1

Observe the pictures at the left (Fig 2.1). Each shaded part is \(\frac{1}{4}\) part of a circle. How much will the two shaded parts represent together? They will represent \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=2\times \frac{1}{4}\). Combining the two shaded parts, we get Fig 2.2 . What part of a circle does the shaded part in Fig 2.2 represent? It represents \(\frac{2}{4}\) part of a circle .

  Fig 2.2

The shaded portions in Fig 2.1 taken together are the same as the shaded portion in Fig 2.2, i.e., we get Fig 2.3.

 Fig 2.3

or \(2\times \frac{1}{4}=\frac{2}{4}\).

Can you now tell what this picture will represent? (Fig 2.4)

 Fig 2.4

And this? (Fig 2.5)

 Fig 2.5

Let us now find \(3\times \frac{1}{2}\).

We have \(3\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\)

We also have \(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1+1+1}{2}=\frac{3\times 1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\)

 So \(3\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{3\times 1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\)

 Similarly \(\frac{2}{3}\times 5=\frac{2\times 5}{3}=?\)

Can you tell \(3\times \frac{2}{7}=?\)      \(4\times \frac{3}{5}=?\)

The fractions that we considered till now, i.e., \(\frac{1}{2},\frac{2}{3},\frac{2}{7}and\frac{3}{5}\) were proper fractions.

For improper fractions also we have,

                \(2\times \frac{5}{3}=\frac{2\times 5}{3}=\frac{10}{3}\)

Try,           \(3\times \frac{8}{7}=?\)    \(4\times \frac{7}{5}=?\)

Thus, to multiply a whole number with a proper or an improper fraction, we multiply the whole number with the numerator of the fraction, keeping the denominator same.

TRY THESE

1. Find: (a) \(\frac{2}{7}\times 3\) (b) \(\frac{9}{7}\times 6\) (c) \(3\times \frac{1}{8}\) (d) \(\frac{13}{11}\times 6\)

If the product is an improper fraction express it as a mixed fraction.

2. Represent pictorially : \(2\times \frac{2}{5}=\frac{4}{5}\)

To multiply a mixed fraction to a whole number, first convert the mixed fraction to an improper fraction and then multiply.

Therefore, \(3\times 2\frac{5}{7}=3\times \frac{19}{7}=\frac{57}{7}=8\frac{1}{7}\)

Similarly, \(2\times 4\frac{2}{5}=2\times \frac{22}{5}=?\)

Fraction as an operator ‘of’

Observe these figures (Fig 2.6) The two squares are exactly similar.

            Fig 2.6

Each shaded portion represents \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 1.

So, both the shaded portions together will represent \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 2.

Combine the 2 shaded \(\frac{1}{2}\) parts. It represents 1. So, we say \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 2 is 1. We can also get it as \(\frac{1}{2}\) × 2 = 1. Thus, \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 2 = \(\frac{1}{2}\) × 2 = 1

                    Fig 2.7

Also, look at these similar squares (Fig 2.7).

Each shaded portion represents \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 1.

So, the three shaded portions represent \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 3.

Combine the 3 shaded parts.

It represents 1 \(\frac{1}{2}\) i.e., \(\frac{3}{2}\) .

So, \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 3 is \(\frac{3}{2}\) .

 Also, \(\frac{1}{2}\) × 3 = \(\frac{3}{2}\) .

Thus, \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 3 = \(\frac{1}{2}\) × 3 = \(\frac{3}{2}\) .

So we see that ‘of’ represents multiplication.

        Farida has 20 marbles. Reshma has \(\frac{1}{5}\) th of the number of marbles what Farida has. How many marbles Reshma has? As, ‘of ’ indicates multiplication, so, Reshma has \(\frac{1}{5}\times 20\)= 4 marbles.

Similarly, we have \(\frac{1}{2}\) of 16 is =\(\frac{1}{2}\) × 16= \(\frac{16}{2}\) = 8

EXAMPLE

In a class of 40 students \(\frac{1}{5}\) of the total number of students like to study English, \(\frac{2}{5}\) of the total number like to study Mathematics and the remaining students like to study Science. (i) How many students like to study English? (ii) How many students like to study Mathematics? (iii) What fraction of the total number of students like to study Science?

SOLUTION Total number of students in the class = 40.

(i) Of these \(\frac{1}{5}\) of the total number of students like to study English. Thus, the number of students who like to study English = \(\frac{1}{5}\). of 40 = \(\frac{1}{5}\)×40 = 8.

(ii) Try yourself.

(iii) The number of students who like English and Mathematics = 8 + 16 = 24. Thus, the number of students who like Science = 40 – 24 = 16. Thus, the required fraction is \(\frac{16}{40}\).

Fractions and Decimals

Multiplication of a Fraction by a Fraction

Farida had a 9 cm long strip of ribbon. She cut this strip into four equal parts. How did she do it? She folded the strip twice. What fraction of the total length will each part represent? Each part will be \(\frac{9}{4}\) of the strip. She took one part and divided it in two equal parts by folding the part once. What will one of the pieces represent? It will represent \(\frac{1}{2}\) of \(\frac{9}{4}\) or \(\frac{1}{2}\) × \(\frac{9}{4}\) . Let us now see how to find the product of two fractions like \(\frac{1}{2}\) × \(\frac{9}{4}\) . To do this we first learn to find the products like \(\frac{1}{2}\) × \(\frac{1}{3}\) .

Multiplication of a Fraction by a Fraction

Farida had a 9 cm long strip of ribbon. She cut this strip into four equal parts. How did she do it? She folded the strip twice. What fraction of the total length will each part represent? Each part will be \(\frac{9}{4}\) of the strip. She took one part and divided it in two equal parts by folding the part once. What will one of the pieces represent? It will represent \(\frac{1}{2}\) of \(\frac{9}{4}\) or \(\frac{1}{2}\) × \(\frac{9}{4}\) . Let us now see how to find the product of two fractions like \(\frac{1}{2} × \frac{9}{4}\) . To do this we first learn to find the products like \(\frac{1}{2} × \frac{1}{3}\) .

(a) How do we find \(\frac{1}{3}\) of a whole? We divide the whole in three equal parts. Each of the three parts represents \(\frac{1}{3}\) of the whole. Take one part of these three parts, and shade it as shown in Fig 2.8.

 Fig 2.8

(b) How will you find \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) of this shaded part? Divide this one-third ( \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) ) shaded part into two equal parts. Each of these two parts represents \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) of \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) i.e., \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) (Fig 2.9). Take out 1 part of these two and name it ‘A’. ‘A’ represents \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) (Fig 2.9).

 Fig 2.9

(c) What fraction is ‘A’ of the whole? For this, divide each of the remaining  parts also in two equal parts. How many such equal parts do you have now? There are six such equal parts. ‘A’ is one of these parts. So, ‘A’ is 1 6 of the whole. Thus, \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\).

      How did we decide that ‘A’ was 1 6 of the whole? The whole was divided in 6 = 2 × 3 parts and 1 = 1 × 1 part was taken out of it.

Thus, \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{3}=\frac{1}{6}=\frac{1\times 1}{2\times 3}\)

or \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{3}=\frac{1\times 1}{2\times 3}\)

 A The value of \(\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{2}\) can be found in a similar way. Divide the whole into two equal parts and then divide one of these parts in three equal parts. Take one of these parts. This will represent \(\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{2}\) i.e., \(\frac{1}{6}\).       

           Therefore \(\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{6}=\frac{1\times 1}{3\times 2}\) as discussed earlier.

Hence \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{3}=\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{6}\)

Find \(\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{4} and \frac{1}{4}\times \frac{1}{3};\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{5} and \frac{1}{5}\times \frac{1}{2}\) and check whether you get \(\frac{1}{3}\times \frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{4}\times \frac{1}{3};\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{5}=\frac{1}{5}\times \frac{1}{2}\)

EXAMPLE

Sushant reads \(\frac{1}{3}\) part of a book in 1 hour. How  much part of the book will he read in \(2\frac{1}{5}\) hours?

SOLUTION

The part of the book read by Sushant in 1 hour = \(\frac{1}{3}\) .

So, the part of the book read by him in \(2\frac{1}{5}\) hours = \(2\frac{1}{5}\times \frac{1}{3}\)

                                                                      = \(\frac{11}{5}\times \frac{1}{3}=\frac{11\times 1}{5\times 3}=\frac{11}{15}\)

Let us now find \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{5}{3}\) .

We know that \(\frac{5}{3}=\frac{1}{3}\times 5\).

So, \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{5}{3}=\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{3}\times 5=\frac{1}{6}\)     \(5=\frac{1}{6}\)      

Also, \(\frac{5}{6}=\frac{1\times 5}{2\times 3}\) .

Thus, \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{5}{3}=\frac{1\times 5}{2\times 3}=\frac{5}{6}\).

This is also shown by the figures drawn below. Each of these five equal shapes (Fig 2.10) are parts of five similar circles. Take one such shape. To obtain this shape we first divide a circle in three equal parts. Further divide each of these three parts in two equal parts. One part out of it is the shape we considered. What will it represent?

It will represent \(\frac{1}{2}\times \frac{1}{3}=\frac{1}{6}\). The total of such parts would be \(5\times \frac{1}{6}=\frac{5}{6}\).

Similarly \(\frac{3}{5}\times \frac{1}{7}=\frac{3\times 1}{5\times 7}=\frac{3}{35}\).

We can thus find \(\frac{2}{3}\times \frac{7}{5}as\frac{2}{3}\times \frac{7}{5}=\frac{2\times 7}{3\times 5}=\frac{14}{15}\).

So, we find that we multiply two fractions as \(\frac{Product\text{ }of\text{ }Numerators}{Product\text{ }of\text{ }Denominators}\)

Value of the Products

You have seen that the product of two whole numbers is bigger than each of the two whole numbers. For example, 3 × 4 = 12 and 12 > 4, 12 > 3. What happens to the value of the product when we multiply two fractions? Let us first consider the product of two proper fractions.

We have,

You will find that when two proper fractions are multiplied, the product is less than each of the fractions. Or, we say the value of the product of two proper fractions is smaller than each of the two fractions. Check this by constructing five more examples.

Let us now multiply two improper fractions.

We find that the product of two improper fractions is greater than each of the two fractions.

         Or, the value of the product of two improper fractions is more than each of the two fractions.

         Construct five more examples for yourself and verify the above statement.

         Let us now multiply a proper and an improper fraction, say \(\frac{2}{3}and\frac{7}{5}\).

          We have \(\frac{2}{3}and\frac{7}{5}=\frac{14}{15}\). Here, \(\frac{14}{15}<\frac{7}{5}\) and \(\frac{14}{15}>\frac{2}{3}\)

The product obtained is less than the improper fraction and greater than the proper fraction involved in the multiplication.

Check it for \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) .

Fractions and Decimals

DIVISION OF FRACTIONS

John has a paper strip of length 6 cm. He cuts this strip in smaller strips of length 2 cm each. You know that he would get 6 ÷ 2 =3 strips.

John cuts another strip of length 6 cm into smaller strips of length \(\frac{3}{2}\) cm each. How many strips will he get now? He will get 6 ÷ \(\frac{3}{2}\) strips.

A paper strip of length \(\frac{15}{2}\) cm can be cut into smaller strips of length \(\frac{3}{2}\) cm each to give \(\frac{15}{2} ÷ \frac{3}{2}\) pieces. So, we are required to divide a whole number by a fraction or a fraction by another fraction. Let us see how to do that.

Division of Whole Number by a Fraction:

Let us find 1÷ \(\frac{1}{2}\) . We divide a whole into a number of equal parts such that each part is half of the whole. The number of such half ( \(\frac{1}{2}\) ) parts would be 1÷ \(\frac{1}{2}\) . Observe the figure (Fig 2.11). How many half parts do you see? There are two half parts.

So, 1 ÷ \(\frac{1}{2}\) = 2. Also, \(1\times \frac{2}{1}\) = 1 × 2 = 2.                                         Thus, 1 ÷ \(\frac{1}{2}\) = \(1\times \frac{2}{1}\)

  Fig 2.11

Similarly, 3 ÷ \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\)  = number of \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) parts obtained when each of the 3 whole, are divided into \(x = {-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\) equal parts = 12 (From Fig 2.12)

 Fig 2.12

Observe also that, \(3\times \frac{4}{1}\)= 3 × 4 = 12. Thus, \(3\div \frac{1}{4}=3\times \frac{4}{1}\)= 12. Find in a similar way, 3 ÷ \(\frac{1}{2}\) and \(3\times \frac{2}{1}\).

Reciprocal of a fraction

The number \(\frac{2}{1}\) can be obtained by interchanging the numerator and denominator of \(\frac{1}{2}\) or by inverting \(\frac{1}{2}\) . Similarly, \(\frac{3}{1}\) is obtained by inverting \(\frac{1}{3}\) . Let us first see about the inverting of such numbers. Observe these products and fill in the blanks :

Multiply five more such pairs. The non-zero numbers whose product with each other is 1, are called the reciprocals of each other. So reciprocal of \(\frac{5}{9}\) is \(\frac{9}{5}\) and the reciprocal of \(\frac{9}{5}\) is \(\frac{5}{9}\)  . What is the receiprocal of \(\frac{1}{9}?\frac{2}{7}?\) You will see that the reciprocal of \(\frac{2}{3}\) is obtained by inverting it. You get \(\frac{3}{2}\) .

Fractions and Decimals

Division of a Fraction by a Whole Number

• What will be ÷ 3?

       Based on our earlier observations we have: \(\frac{3}{4}\) ÷ 3 = \(\frac{3}{4}\div \frac{3}{1}\)= \(\frac{3}{4}\times \frac{1}{3}\) = \(\frac{3}{12}=\frac{1}{4}\)

       So, \(\frac{2}{3}\) ÷ 7 = \(\frac{2}{3}\times \frac{1}{7}\)= ? What is \(\frac{5}{7}\) ÷ 6 , \(\frac{2}{7}\) ÷ 8 ?

• While dividing mixed fractions by whole numbers, convert the mixed fractions into improper fractions. That is, \(2\frac{2}{3}\)÷5 = \(\frac{8}{3}\) ÷5 = ------ ; \(4\frac{2}{5}\) ÷3 = ------ = ------; \(2\frac{3}{5}\)÷ =2 ------ = ------

Fractions and Decimals

MULTIPLICATION OF DECIMAL NUMBERS

Reshma purchased 1.5kg vegetable at the rate of ₹8.50 per kg. How much money should she pay? Certainly it would be ₹ (8.50 × 1.50). Both 8.5 and 1.5 are decimal numbers. So, we have come across a situation where we need to know how to multiply two decimals. Let us now learn the multiplication of two decimal numbers.

 Fig 2.13

First we find 0.1 × 0.1.

Now, 0.1 = \(\frac{1}{10}\). So, 0.1 × 0.1 = \(\frac{1}{10}\times \frac{1}{10}=\frac{1\times 1}{10\times 10}=\frac{1}{100}\) = 0.01.

Let us see it’s pictorial representation (Fig 2.13) The fraction \(\frac{1}{10}\) represents 1 part out of 10 equal parts.

The shaded part in the picture represents \(\frac{1}{10}\).

We know that,

\(\frac{1}{10}\times \frac{1}{10}\) means \(\frac{1}{10}of\frac{1}{10}\). So, divide this \(\frac{1}{10}\) th part into 10 equal parts and take one part out of it. Thus, we have, (Fig 2.14).

 Fig 2.14

The dotted square is one part out of 10 of the \(\frac{1}{10}\) th part. That is, it represents \(\frac{1}{10}\times \frac{1}{10}\) or 0.1 × 0.1.

Can the dotted square be represented in some other way?

How many small squares do you find in Fig 2.14?

There are 100 small squares. So the dotted square represents one out of 100 or 0.01.

Hence, 0.1 × 0.1 = 0.01.

         Note that 0.1 occurs two times in the product. In 0.1 there is one digit to the right of the decimal point. In 0.01 there are two digits (i.e., 1 + 1) to the right of the decimal point. Let us now find 0.2 × 0.3.

We have, 0.2 × 0.3 = \(\frac{2}{10}\times \frac{3}{10}\)

 Fig 2.15

As we did for \(\frac{1}{10}\times \frac{1}{10}\), let us divide the square into 10 equal parts and take three parts out of it, to get \(\frac{3}{10}\). Again divide each of these three equal parts into 10 equal parts and take two from each. We get \(\frac{2}{10}\times \frac{3}{10}\). The dotted squares represent \(\frac{2}{10}\times \frac{3}{10}\) or 0.2 × 0.3. (Fig 2.15)

         Since there are 6 dotted squares out of 100, so they also reprsent 0.06. Thus, 0.2 × 0.3 = 0.06.

         Observe that 2 × 3 = 6 and the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in 0.06 is 2 (= 1 + 1).

Check whether this applies to 0.1 × 0.1 also.

Find 0.2 × 0.4 by applying these observations.

       While finding 0.1 × 0.1 and 0.2 × 0.3, you might have noticed that first we multiplied them as whole numbers ignoring the decimal point. In 0.1 × 0.1, we found 01 × 01 or 1 × 1. Similarly in 0.2 × 0.3 we found 02 × 03 or 2 × 3.

        Then, we counted the number of digits starting from the rightmost digit and moved towards left. We then put the decimal point there. The number of digits to be counted is obtained by adding the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in the decimal numbers that are being multiplied.

Let us now find 1.2 × 2.5.

         Multiply 12 and 25. We get 300. Both, in 1.2 and 2.5, there is 1 digit to the right of the decimal point. So, count 1 + 1 = 2 digits from the rightmost digit (i.e., 0) in 300 and move towards left. We get 3.00 or 3.           

Find in a similar way 1.5 × 1.6, 2.4 × 4.2.

       While multiplying 2.5 and 1.25, you will first multiply 25 and 125. For placing the decimal in the product obtained, you will count 1 + 2 = 3 (Why?) digits starting from the rightmost digit. Thus, 2.5 × 1.25 = 3.225

        Find 2.7 × 1.35.

EXAMPLE 3 The side of an equilateral triangle is 3.5 cm. Find its perimeter.

SOLUTION All the sides of an equilateral triangle are equal.

So, length of each side = 3.5 cm

Thus, perimeter = 3 × 3.5 cm = 10.5 cm

EXAMPLE 4 The length of a rectangle is 7.1 cm and its breadth is 2.5 cm. What is the area of the rectangle?

SOLUTION Length of the rectangle = 7.1 cm

Breadth of the rectangle = 2.5 cm

Therefore, area of the rectangle = 7.1 × 2.5 cm² = 17.75 cm²

Fractions and Decimals

Multiplication of Decimal Numbers by 10, 100 and 1000

Reshma observed that 2.3 = \(\frac{23}{10}\) whereas 2.35 = \(\frac{235}{10}\). Thus, she found that depending on the position of the decimal point the decimal number can be converted to a fraction with denominator 10 or 100. She wondered what would happen if a decimal number is multiplied by 10 or 100 or 1000.

Let us see if we can find a pattern of multiplying numbers by 10 or 100 or 1000.

Have a look at the table given below and fill in the blanks:

Observe the shift of the decimal point of the products in the table. Here the numbers are multiplied by 10,100 and 1000. In 1.76 × 10 = 17.6, the digits are same i.e., 1, 7 and 6. Do you observe this in other products also? Observe 1.76 and 17.6. To which side has the decimal point shifted, right or left? The decimal point has shifted to the right by one place.

Note that 10 has one zero over 1.

In 1.76×100 = 176.0, observe 1.76 and 176.0. To which side and by how many digits has the decimal point shifted? The decimal point has shifted to the right by two places.

Note that 100 has two zeros over one.

Do you observe similar shifting of decimal point in other products also?

           So we say, when a decimal number is multiplied by 10, 100 or 1000, the digits in the product are same as in the decimal number but the decimal point in the product is shifted to the right by as, many of places as there are zeros over one.

Based on these observations we can now say

     0.07 × 10 = 0.7, 0.07 × 100 = 7 and 0.07 × 1000 = 70.

Can you now tell 2.97 × 10 = ? 2.97 × 100 = ? 2.97 × 1000 = ?

     Can you now help Reshma to find the total amount i.e., ` 8.50 × 150, that she has to pay?

Fractions and Decimals

DIVISION OF DECIMAL NUMBERS

Savita was preparing a design to decorate her classroom. She needed a few coloured strips of paper of length 1.9 cm each. She had a strip of coloured paper of length 9.5 cm. How many pieces of the required length will she get out of this strip? She thought it would be \(\frac{9.5}{1.9}\) cm. Is she correct?

        Both 9.5 and 1.9 are decimal numbers. So we need to know the division of decimal numbers too! 2.4.1 Division by 10, 100 and 1000

Let us find the division of a decimal number by 10, 100 and 1000.

Consider 31.5 ÷ 10.

31.5 ÷ 10 = \(\frac{315}{10}\times \frac{1}{10}=\frac{315}{100}\)= 3.15

       Similarly, \(31.5\div 100=\frac{315}{10}\times \frac{1}{100}=\frac{315}{1000}=0.315\).

       Let us see if we can find a pattern for dividing numbers by 10, 100 or 1000. This may help us in dividing numbers by 10, 100 or 1000 in a shorter way.

         Take 31.5 ÷ 10 = 3.15. In 31.5 and 3.15, the digits are same i.e., 3, 1, and 5 but the decimal point has shifted in the quotient. To which side and by how many digits? The decimal point has shifted to the left by one place. Note that 10 has one zero over 1.

          Consider now 31.5 ÷ 100 = 0.315. In 31.5 and 0.315 the digits are same, but what about the decimal point in the quotient? It has shifted to the left by two places. Note that 100 has two zeros over1.

           So we can say that, while dividing a number by 10, 100 or 1000, the digits of the number and the quotient are same but the decimal point in the quotient shifts to the left by as many places as there are zeros over 1. Using this observation let us now quickly find: 2.38 ÷ 10 = 0.238, 2.38 ÷ 100 = 0.0238, 2.38 ÷ 1000 = 0.00238.

Fractions and Decimals

Division of a Decimal Number by a Whole Number

Let us find \(\frac{6.4}{2}\). Remember we also write it as 6.4 ÷ 2.

So, 6.4 ÷ 2 = \(\frac{64}{10}\) ÷ 2 = \(\frac{64}{10}\times \frac{1}{2}\) as learnt in fractions..

= \(\frac{64\times 1}{10\times 2}=\frac{1\times 64}{10\times 2}=\frac{1}{10}\times \frac{64}{2}=\frac{1}{10}\times 32=\frac{32}{10}=3.2\)

         Or, let us first divide 64 by 2. We get 32. There is one digit to the right of the decimal point in 6.4. Place the decimal in 32 such that there would be one digit to its right. We get 3.2 again.

        To find 19.5 ÷ 5, first find 195 ÷5. We get 39. There is one digit to the right of the decimal point in 19.5. Place the decimal point in 39 such that there would be one digit to its right. You will get 3.9.

Now, \(12.96\div 4=\frac{1296}{100}\div 4=\frac{1296}{100}\times \frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{100}\times \frac{1296}{4}=\frac{1}{100}\times 324=3.24\)

      Or, divide 1296 by 4. You get 324. There are two digits to the right of the decimal in 12.96. Making similar placement of the decimal in 324, you will get 3.24.

       Note that here and in the next section, we have considered only those divisions in which, ignoring the decimal, the number would be completely divisible by another number to give remainder zero. Like, in 19.5 ÷ 5, the number 195 when divided by 5, leaves remainder zero.  

        However, there are situations in which the number may not be completely divisible by another number, i.e., we may not get remainder zero. For example, 195 ÷ 7. We deal with such situations in later classes.

EXAMPLE 5 Find the average of 4.2, 3.8 and 7.6.

SOLUTION The average of 4.2, 3.8 and 7.6 is \(\frac{4.2+3.8+7.6}{3}\)= 5.2.

Fractions and Decimals

Division of a Decimal Number by another Decimal Number

Let us find \(\frac{25.5}{0.5}\) i.e., 25.5 ÷ 0.5.

We have \(\frac{255}{10}\div \frac{5}{10}=\frac{255}{10}\times \frac{10}{5}=51\)  Thus, 25.5 ÷ 0.5 = 51

      What do you observe? For \(\frac{25.5}{0.5}\) , we find that there is one digit to the right of the decimal in 0.5. This could be converted to whole number by dividing by 10. Accordingly 25.5 was also converted to a fraction by dividing by 10.

      Or, we say the decimal point was shifted by one place to the right in 0.5 to make it 5. So, there was a shift of one decimal point to the right in 25.5 also to make it 255.

Thus, \(\frac{22.5}{1.5}=\frac{225}{15}\)= 225 15 = 15

Find \(\frac{20.3}{0.7}and\frac{15.2}{1.5}\). in a similar way.

Let us now find 20.55 ÷ 1.5.

We can write it is as 205.5 ÷ 15, as discussed above. We get 13.7. Find \(\frac{3.96}{0.4},\frac{2.31}{0.3}\).

     Consider now, \(\frac{33.725}{0.25}\). We can write it as \(\frac{3372.5}{25}\) (How?) and we get the quotient as 134.9. How will you find \(\frac{27}{0.03}\)? We know that 27 can be written as 27.00.

    So, \(\frac{27}{0.03}=\frac{27.00}{0.03}=\frac{2700}{3}=900\)

EXAMPLE 6 Each side of a regular polygon is 2.5 cm in length. The perimeter of the polygon is 12.5cm. How many sides does the polygon have?

SOLUTION The perimeter of a regular polygon is the sum of the lengths of all its equal sides = 12.5 cm.

Length of each side = 2.5 cm.

Thus, the number of sides = \(\frac{12.5}{2.5}=\frac{125}{25}\)=5 The polygon has 5 sides.

EXAMPLE 7 A car covers a distance of 89.1 km in 2.2 hours. What is the average distance covered by it in 1 hour?

SOLUTION Distance covered by the car = 89.1 km.

Time required to cover this distance =2.2 hours.

So distance covered by it in 1 hour = \(\frac{89.1}{2.2}=\frac{891}{22}\)= 40.5 km.