The decimal point in the answer sits directly above the decimal point in the number being divided.
Use the short division (bus-stop) method. Work through each digit from left to right, carrying remainders as usual. When you reach the decimal point, write a decimal point in the answer directly above it and continue.
Example 1 — Calculate \(14.4 \div 4\)
Step 1
Set up: \(4 \overline{)14.4}\). Work from left to right.
Step 2
\(1 \div 4 = 0\) remainder 1. Carry the 1 to make 14. \(14 \div 4 = 3\) remainder 2.
Step 3
Write the decimal point in the answer above the decimal point in 14.4. Then \(24 \div 4 = 6\).
Step 4
Answer: \(\mathbf{3.6}\)
Example 2 — Calculate \(8.4 \div 6\)
Step 1
\(8 \div 6 = 1\) remainder 2.
Step 2
Decimal point. Then \(24 \div 6 = 4\).
Step 3
Answer: \(\mathbf{1.4}\)
Tip: If you run out of digits before you finish dividing, just add zeros after the decimal point and continue. For example \(3 \div 4 = 0.75\): add zeros to get \(3.00 \div 4\).
✓ Quick Check 1 — Decimal ÷ Whole Number
Question 1 of 10
Dividing by a Decimal — Multiply Both by 10 or 100
To divide by a decimal: multiply both numbers by 10 (or 100) to make the divisor a whole number, then divide.
You cannot easily do bus-stop division when the number you are dividing by is a decimal. The trick is to scale up: multiply both the dividend and divisor by the same power of 10, making the divisor a whole number. The answer stays the same because you scaled both by the same amount.
Example 3 — Calculate \(4.5 \div 0.3\)
Step 1
0.3 has 1 decimal place → multiply both by 10: \(4.5 \times 10 = 45\) and \(0.3 \times 10 = 3\).
Example 6 — 4.5 m of fabric costs £13.50. Find the cost per metre.
Step 1
\(£13.50 \div 4.5\). Divisor has 1 d.p. → multiply both by 10.
Step 2
\(135 \div 45 = 3\).
Step 3
Cost per metre = \(\mathbf{£3.00}\). Check: \(4.5 \times 3.00 = £13.50\) ✓
✓ Quick Check 3 — Real-Life Division Problems
Question 1 of 10
Practice: Real-Life Division
Solve each problem, then click Check.
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Question
Answer
Result
1
A 7.2 m rope is cut into pieces of 0.9 m each. How many pieces?
2
Three friends share a taxi costing £18.60. How much each (£)?
3
You drive 159.6 miles and use 6 litres of fuel. Miles per litre?
4
\(9.6 \div 0.4\)
5
£45.50 is shared equally between 5 people. How much each (£)?
6
\(12.8 \div 0.8\)
7
A 15.6 m rope is cut into pieces of 1.2 m. How many pieces?
8
£63.75 is shared equally between 5 people. How much each (£)?
9
\(22.5 \div 1.5\)
10
A car uses 8 litres of fuel to travel 116 miles. Miles per litre (1 d.p.)?
⚠ Things to Watch Out For
Decimal ÷ whole number — misplacing the decimal: In short division, the decimal point in the answer sits DIRECTLY above the decimal point in the dividend. Do not shift it.
Decimal ÷ decimal — not converting first: 4.5 ÷ 0.3: multiply BOTH by 10 to get 45 ÷ 3 = 15. Always eliminate the decimal from the divisor first.
Multiplying by different powers: When converting, you must multiply dividend and divisor by the SAME value. 4.5 ÷ 0.03 → both × 100 → 450 ÷ 3 = 150.
Treating remainder as a decimal: 14 ÷ 4 = 3 remainder 2. In decimal division, add a zero and continue: 20 ÷ 4 = 5, so 14 ÷ 4 = 3.5. Don't leave a remainder.
Dividing by a decimal less than 1 makes the answer smaller: FALSE. 6 ÷ 0.5 = 12. Dividing by a number less than 1 makes the result LARGER.