Introduction to Decimals
A Decimal Number is a number that contains a Decimal Point:
Our Decimal System lets us write numbers as large or as small as we want, using the decimal point. Numbers can be placed to the left or right of a decimal point, to indicate values greater than one or less than one.
The number to the left of the decimal point is a whole number. |
The first digit on the right means tenths (1/10) |
As we move further right, every number place gets 10 times smaller (one tenth as big) |
As we move left, every number place gets 10 times bigger . |
Definition of Decimal
The word "Decimal" means "based on 10" (From Latin decima: a tenth part), and we sometimes say "decimal" when we mean anything to do with our numbering system, but a "Decimal Number" usually means there is a Decimal Point.
Ways to think about at Decimal Numbers
You could think of a decimal number as a whole number plus tenths, hundredths, etc:
Example 1: What is 2.3 ?
- On the left side is "2", that is the whole number part.
- The 3 is in the "tenths" position, meaning "3 tenths", or 3/10
- So, 2.3 is "2 and 3 tenths"
Example 2: What is 13.76 ?
- On the left side is "13", that is the whole number part.
- There are two digits on the left side, the 7 is in the "tenths" position, and the 6 is the "hundredths" position
- So, 13.76 is "13 and 7 tenths and 6 hundredths"
Or, you could think of a decimal number as a whole number plus a Decimal Fraction, in which case we would say that 13.76 was:
13 | and |
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