How do you estimate and calulate quotients with decimals
To estimate and calculate quotients with decimals, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the dividend and divisor: The dividend is the number being divided, and the divisor is the number by which you divide the dividend.
2. Estimate the quotient: Round the dividend and divisor to the nearest whole numbers. Then, divide the rounded dividend by the rounded divisor to obtain an estimate of the quotient.
3. Calculate the quotient: Perform the division using the decimal values of the dividend and divisor, rather than the rounded numbers used in the estimation. This will give you the exact quotient.
Here's an example to illustrate the process:
Question: Calculate the quotient of 17.32 ÷ 4.15
Step 1: Identify the dividend and divisor
Dividend = 17.32
Divisor = 4.15
Step 2: Estimate the quotient
Rounded dividend = 17 (nearest whole number)
Rounded divisor = 4 (nearest whole number)
Estimated quotient = 17 ÷ 4 = 4.25
Step 3: Calculate the quotient
Divide the exact dividend (17.32) by the exact divisor (4.15) using long division:
4.168
----------
4.15 | 17.32
16.60
-------
72
69
------
30
Therefore, the exact quotient is 4.168 (rounded to three decimal places).
In summary, estimating and calculating quotients with decimals involves rounding the numbers and performing long division to find the exact quotient.