Question

What is the difference of setting up a subtraction and addition decimal problem from setting up a multiplication decimal problem?

Answer 1

Answer: During subtraction or addition, the original numbers don’t change; meaning, you pay attention to decimal points and line up the existing points to the correct decimal slot.

Ex. 5.34
+126.01
131.35

However during multiplication, setting up the problem would be disregarding the decimal points from the start.

Ex. if you have 5.34 x 126.01, you would solve it as 534 x 12601 to begin, then count the number of digits after each factor. so 2 from 5, and 2 from 6, accumulating 4. Take the number you get from the first multiplication process and move it 4 digits to the left; now you have your final answer.