Question:

168.72/0.024=7.03

When I do this calculation on paper the above answer is what I get but when I do this calculation on a calculator I get 7,030.00 what I am doing wrong?

7030

no, because the number is wrong

The answer would be 7.03

To understand why you're getting different answers when performing the same calculation on paper and a calculator, we need to examine the concept of decimal places.

In the given mathematical expression, 168.72/0.024, both numbers have three decimal places. When dividing numbers with decimals, it's crucial to ensure that the number of decimal places in the quotient matches the number of decimal places in the dividend (or the numerator).

Let's break down the steps to divide 168.72 by 0.024:

1. Divide the whole numbers:
- 168 ÷ 0 = 0 (since 0 is divisible by any number)

2. Shift the decimal places:
- In the dividend (168.72), there are three decimal places (after 168). We need to move the decimal point three places to the right, making it 16,872.

3. Perform the division:
- Divide 16,872 by 0.024: 16,872 ÷ 0.024 = 703,000

Thus, the correct answer is 703,000, not 7,030.00. It seems you made an error with the decimal places when performing the calculation on paper, resulting in the incorrect answer. However, your calculator seems to be giving you the correct answer of 703,000.

When I have 0.024 I moved the decimal over to the right 3 times which really makes it into 24

In 168.72 would I also move the decimal over 3 times?

yes. That means that

168.720 / 0.024 * 1000/1000 = 168720/24