Dividing decimals by a whole number can be a tricky concept for students to grasp. However, by using pictures, you can make the process much more concrete and easier to understand. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to teach dividing decimals by a whole number pictorially, with plenty of examples to illustrate each step. With these clear and engaging visuals, your students will be able to master this critical math skill in no time.
To begin, it is important to review the concept of dividing whole numbers. Ask students to imagine they have a certain number of objects, such as candies or coins, and they need to divide them equally among a certain number of people. Draw a picture on the board to represent this scenario, and have students draw their own pictures in their notebooks. Once students understand how to divide whole numbers, you can introduce the concept of dividing decimals.
To divide a decimal by a whole number pictorially, simply follow these steps:
1) Draw a picture to represent the dividend (the number being divided).
2) Draw a smaller picture to represent the divisor (the number dividing into the dividend).
3) Divide the dividend picture into equal groups, with the number of groups equal to the divisor.
4) Count the number of groups to find the quotient (the answer to the division problem).
Constructing Fraction Bars for Decimal Division
Dividing decimals by whole numbers can be simplified using fraction bars. Here’s how to construct fraction bars pictorially:
Step 1: Draw the Dividend and Divisor
Draw a horizontal line to represent the dividend (the decimal being divided). Below it, draw another horizontal line to represent the divisor (the whole number).
| Dividend | Divisor |
|---|---|
| —– | —– |
Step 2: Align the Decimal Points
Align the decimal point of the dividend and the divisor vertically. If the dividend doesn’t have a decimal point, add one at the end.
| Dividend | Divisor |
|---|---|
| —–. | —– |
Step 3: Construct Equal-Sized Rectangles
Draw a series of equal-sized rectangles above the dividend and divisor. These rectangles will represent fractions of the dividend and divisor.
| Dividend | Rectangles | Divisor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| —–. | —– | ||||
Step 4: Divide the Dividend and Divisor
Divide the length of the rectangle on the dividend line by the length of the rectangle on the divisor line. This will give you the quotient, which is the answer to the division problem.
| Dividend | Rectangles | Divisor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| —–. | —– | ||||
| Quotient | |||||
How to Teach Dividing Decimals by a Whole Number Pictorially
Dividing decimals by a whole number can be a challenging concept for students. To help make it more understandable, it is helpful to use pictorial representations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to teach dividing decimals by a whole number pictorially:
- Convert the whole number to a decimal. For example, 5 can be converted to 5.0.
- Place the decimal point in the dividend. The dividend is the number being divided.
- Divide as usual. Just as you would divide a whole number by a whole number, divide the digits in the dividend by the digits in the divisor.
- Bring down the decimal point. The decimal point in the quotient (the answer) should be directly above the decimal point in the dividend.
- Continue dividing until there are no more digits in the dividend. If there are any remainders, they can be expressed as a decimal fraction.
For example, let’s divide 12.6 by 3.
As you can see, the answer is 4.2.
People Also Ask About How to Teach Dividing Decimals by a Whole Number Pictorially
What is a divisor?
A divisor is a number that divides another number evenly.
What is a dividend?
A dividend is a number that is being divided.
What is a quotient?
A quotient is the answer to a division problem.
