Division (Writing the Remainder as Decimals)

Division: Different ways to write the remainder

When a number does not divide evenly into another, the leftover can be expressed as a remainder, fraction, or decimal.

Example: $125 \div 2=$

Three way to write the remainder

The key to working out a long division problem, where the remainder is written as a decimal, is the ability to add zeros after the decimal point. Remember that a whole number always has a decimal to the right of the number, even if it has not been written in.

Whole numbers have a decimal at the end

We can add as many zeros as we wish after the decimal point without altering the number’s value. This is because one hundred twenty five and zero tenths, or zero hundredths, is the same thing as one hundred twenty five.