How to Multiply Decimals

Here are some instructions to multiply decimals with the help of a simple example: 0.25 x 0.25.

• Here, we would multiply the numbers first, meaning 25 x 25 (ignoring the decimals).
• The result that we get is 625.

• Now, we would count the number of decimal places in the numbers which we intend to multiply. In this example, the number of decimal places is 4.
• Coming back to 625, here, we would put the decimal point by starting from the right and moving towards the left, by 4 places. So, this gives the answer 0.0625

So, what we get from 0.25 x 0.25 is 0.0625. You may be wondering what is the '0' doing in the answer. Well, as you understand from the above instructions, we had to move left by 4 places. However, there were only three numbers in 625. So to make it 4, the '0' was added to the final answer.

Example #1

4.77 x 1.88

= 477 x 188 [Ignoring the decimals]
= 89676
= 8.9676 [since there are 4 decimal places in total, we had to move by 4 places towards the left].

Example #2

0.35 x 0.4

= 35 x 4
= 140
= 0.140
= 0.14 [0 can be ignored after the decimal point.]

Example #3

5.7 x 4.7

= 57 x 47
= 2679
= 26.79

Example #4

8.559 x 6.569

= 8559 x 6569
= 56224071
= 56.224071

Example #5

2.545 x 3.65

= 2545 x 365
= 928925
= 9.28925

Example #6

1.2 x 5

= 12 x 5
= 60
= 6.0
= 6

Example #7

65.6 x 10

= 656 x 10
= 6560
= 656.0
= 656

Example #8

25 x 9.999

= 25 x 9999
= 249975
= 249.975

Example #9

0.989 x 85

= 989 x 85
= 84065
= 84.065

Example #10

559.5 x 5

= 559 x 5
= 27975
= 2797.5

You see how easy it is to multiply decimals manually, instead of using a calculator. Speaking of a calculator, in my opinion, it should not be used until the need arises for scientific calculations. Always remember, the best tool to master mathematics is practice. Once you know how to use this tool, the magic of numbers will be on your fingertips.