Chapter 5: Decimals and Percentages
Decimals and Percentages
Keep decimal points aligned, move digits by place value, and understand percent as out of 100.
AI teacher
Press Start to hear a short classroom-style explanation. If sound is unavailable, the full script is shown below.
Voice: Browser voice
Workbook pages
Fun Maths Book 2 pages 69-77
Add and subtract decimals, multiply or divide by 10, 100 and 1000, and connect percentages to parts out of 100.
AI explanation
The AI teacher uses a decimal place-value chart to show that digits move into new columns when multiplying or dividing by powers of 10. Percentages are shown as shaded hundred grids.
- 1The decimal point stays fixed in written decimal addition and subtraction.
- 2Digits move left when multiplying by 10, 100 or 1000.
- 3Digits move right when dividing by 10, 100 or 1000.
- 4A percentage tells how many parts out of 100.
Think with the AI teacher
Today we will connect decimals and percentages to place value. The digits move into new homes; the decimal point is our marker.
Question 1
Pause 4sWhen adding 4.8 and 3.65, why should 4.8 become 4.80?
After thinking
The zero holds the hundredths place so the columns line up.
Good noticing. Placeholders help us compare equal columns.
Question 2
Pause 5sIf we multiply 6.2 by 100, do the digits move or does the decimal point move?
After thinking
The digits move two places left in value. The point stays as the place-value marker.
Excellent. Thinking about digit movement prevents later mistakes.
Question 3
Pause 5sWhy does 25% match one quarter?
After thinking
25% means 25 out of 100, and 25/100 simplifies to 1/4.
Great connection between percentages and fractions.
Deep structure
What children discover
Children discover that decimals and percentages are extensions of place value and parts of a whole.
Common mistake
Children may move the decimal point mechanically instead of understanding that digits change place value.
Future connection
Decimals and percentages prepare students for standard form, interest, statistics, probability and calculator checks.
Animated demonstration
See the maths move
Decimal digits slide across tenths and hundredths columns, then a hundred square fills to show equivalent percentages.
Guided examples
Decimal subtraction
Find 8.4 - 2.76.
- 1.Write 8.4 as 8.40 so the columns match.
- 2.Subtract hundredths, then tenths, then ones.
- 3.Exchange from the ones if needed.
Divide by 100
Find 73.5 รท 100.
- 1.Dividing by 100 moves every digit two places right.
- 2.Use zero as a placeholder if needed.
Interactive practice
Try it now
For each decimal calculation, say the column names before writing the answer.
Find 4.8 + 3.65.
Find 6.2 x 100.
Which fraction matches 25%?
Review
Show where the decimal point should sit when writing 6.2 + 0.58.
Parent signal
The common error is moving the decimal point instead of thinking about digit place value.
Great work. You are connecting number forms like a mathematician.