Topic 9 of 10 · Watch the digits move
Dividing by 10, 100 and 1,000
Mr Boston
Here’s a shortcut that feels like magic. When you divide by 10, 100 or 1,000, the digits slide to the right on the place value chart.
The rule
÷ 10: digits move 1 place right÷ 100: digits move 2 places right÷ 1,000: digits move 3 places right
The number gets smaller, so the digits move to smaller place values. The decimal point stays still.
Examples
- 4,500 ÷ 10 = 450 (one place right)
- 4,500 ÷ 100 = 45 (two places right)
- 4,500 ÷ 1,000 = 4.5 (three places right)
- 37 ÷ 10 = 3.7 (the 7 moves into the tenths column)
Careful! It is not “just take off a zero”. 37 has no zero to take off, but 37 ÷ 10 = 3.7.
Tayo
Count the zeros in 10, 100 or 1,000. That tells you how many places the digits move.
Practise
Answer as many as you like. Every question is new, and you get a “correct” tick for each one you get right first time.
Quiz: earn your stamp
Printable worksheet
Dividing by 10, 100 and 1,000 worksheet. The questions are on the first page, and the answers for grown-ups are on the last page, so you can print just the first page for your child.
Printing is optional. A4 size.