Decimals Class 6 Notes Maths Chapter 8

Decimal Point

When we use dots to write some numbers then that dot is the decimal point. This is used to show the part of a whole number.

Tenths

• As we know that 1 cm = 10 mm, so if we have to find the opposite then 1mm = 1/10 cm or one-tenth cm or 0.1 cm.
• Hence, the first number after the decimal represents the tenth part of the whole.
  

Representation of Decimals on Number Line

To represent decimals on the number line we have to divide the gap of each number into 10 equal parts as the decimal shows the tenth part of the number.
Example: Show 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 on the number line.
Sol: All the three numbers are greater than 0 and less than 1.so we have to make a number line with 0 and 1 and divide the gap into 10 equal parts. Then mark as shown below.

Fractions as Decimals

It is easy to write the fractions with 10 as the denominator in decimal form but if the denominator is not 10 then we have to find the equivalent fraction with denominator 10.
Example: Convert 12/5 and 3/2 in decimal form.
Sol: 

Decimals as Fractions

Example: Write 2.5 in a fraction.
Sol: 

Hundredths

As we know that 1 m = 100 cm, so if we have to find the opposite then
1 cm = 1/100 m or one-hundredth m or 0.01 m.
Hence, the second numbers after the decimal represent the hundredth part of the whole.

Example: If we say that 25 out of 100 squares are shaded then how will we write it in fraction and decimal form?
Sol: 25 is a part of 100, so the fraction will be 25/100.
In the decimal form we will write it as 0.25.

Place Value Chart

This is the place value chart which tells the place value of each digit in the decimal number. It makes it easy to write numbers in decimal form.

Example: With the given place value chart write the number in the decimal form.

Sol: According to the above table-

Comparing Decimals

1. If the whole number is different.
If the whole numbers of the decimals are different then we can easily compare them .the number with the greater whole number will be greater than the other.
Example: Compare 532.48 and 682.26.
Sol: As the whole numbers are different, so we can easily find that the number with a greater whole number is greater.
Hence 682.26 > 532.48

2. If the whole number is the same
If the whole numbers of the decimals are same then we will compare the tenth and then the hundredth part if required. The number with the greater tenth number is greater than the other.
Example: Compare 42.36 and 42.68.
Sol: As the whole number is the same in both the numbers so we have to compare the tenth part. Hence 42.68 > 42.36

Addition of Decimal Numbers

• To add the decimal numbers we can add them as whole numbers but the decimal will remain at the same place as it was in the given numbers. 
• It means that we have to line up the decimal point in each number while writing them, and then add them as a whole number.

Example: Add 22.3 and 34.1
Sol: Write the numbers as given below, and then add them.

Subtraction of Decimal Numbers

Subtraction is also done as normal whole numbers after lining up the decimals of the given number.
Example: Subtract 243.86 from 402.10.
Sol: Write the numbers in a line so that the decimal points of both the numbers lined up.
Then subtract and borrow as we do in whole numbers.
Line up the decimal point in the answer also.