22.392

To multiply decimal numbers, vertical alignment of the decimal point is not required. Instead, align the numbers to the right in the same way that whole numbers are multiplied (with no regard to the decimal points or place values) and then multiply. The last step is to place the decimal point in the correct place in the answer. To do this, count the number of decimal places in each of the numbers, add the total, and then assign that number of decimal places to the result.

vertically and align them to the right. Multiply the numbers, ignoring the decimal points for now.

6.03 × 0.2

1206 (ignore the decimal points, for now)

After multiplying the numbers, count the total number of decimal places in both numbers. For this example, 6.03 has 2 decimal places and 0.2 has 1 decimal place. Together there are a total of 3 decimal places. The decimal point for the answer is placed 3 decimal places from the right. Therefore, i × 0.2 1 decimal place I i 1.206 3 decimal places

120-volt source? Align the numbers to the right and multiply.

After multiplying the numbers, count the total number of decimal places in both numbers. For this example, 9.45 has 2 decimal places and 120 has no decimal place. Together there are 2 decimal places. The decimal point for the answer is placed 2 decimal places from the right. Therefore, the answer is 1,134.00 watts, or simplified to 1,134 watts.

i 9.45 2 decimal places i × 120 no decimal place

000 1890 + 945

i 1,134.00 2 decimal places

Division of decimal numbers is performed the same way as whole numbers, unless the divisor is a decimal.