Numbers: Decimals

BBC Teach > Skillswise > Numbers

Decimals are used to show numbers that are between two whole numbers. For example, 2.5 and 3.87.

Quick tips for tutors

Decimals includes:

The use of decimal place value and digits
Decimals in different contexts
How zero is used as a place holder and it’s importance
Writing decimals in word and digit form
Comparing the size of decimals
Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with decimals
Approximations and rounding with decimals

Decimal numbers and the decimal point

Test your knowledge of decimals with this Bitesize interactive guide.

Downloadable Factsheets

Decimals in life

Examples of where we see decimals used in everyday life.

All kinds of decimals

Examples of decimal numbers and units of measurement.

Revising decimals

Revision: how to use decimals.

Decimals and calculators

How to enter decimals into calculators.

Decimals and measurements

How decimals are used in measurements.

Decimals and money

How decimals are used in the context of money.

The decimal point and reading decimals

Understanding the use of the decimal point.

What are decimals?

Understanding what a decimal is and how they are used.

Using zero with decimals

How to use a zero with decimals.

Approximation and rounding

How to approximate decimals by rounding to a whole number and to one or two places.

How to compare and order decimals

Understanding how to compare and order decimals.

Dividing decimal numbers

How to divide decimal numbers.

Multiplying decimal numbers

How to multiply decimal numbers.

Understanding place values and place holders

An introduction to place values and place holders.

Introducing decimal numbers

An introduction on decimal numbers.

Downloadable worksheets

Comparing the cost of goods

Exercise in comparing the cost of goods written to two decimal places.

Comparing the cost of goods: taking it further

Exercise in ordering the price of goods to the decimal place.

Matching money

Exercise in matching written and decimal amounts of money.

Metres and centimetres 1

Exercise in matching amounts written in metres and centimetres into decimals of a metre.

Metres and centimetres 2

Exercise in ordering measurements in decimal forms.

Place value 1

Exercise in place value.

Place value 2

Exercise in place value, putting decimals in the correct order.

Using a calculator

Exercise in using decimals with a calculator.

Zero as a place holder

Exercise in matching decimal amounts with zero included as a place holder.

Adding and subtracting decimals

An activity to practise adding and subtracting decimal problems.

Comparing and ordering decimals

Exercise in comparing and ordering decimals.

Dividing decimals

Exercise in dividing decimals.

Multiplying decimals

Exercise in multiplying decimals.

Place values and place holders

Exercise in place values and place holders.

Reading and writing decimal numbers

Exercise in matching decimals in words and digits.

Rounding decimals

Exercise in rounding decimals.

More from Skillswise

Place value

Place value is useful for understanding double digit numbers or greater.

Money

Money is used to pay for things in everyday life.

Rounding and estimating

Rounding and estimating are useful if you want to quickly do a complicated calculation in your head.