Decimals

A Decimal Number (based on the number 10) contains a Decimal Point:

Our Decimal System lets us write numbers as large or as small as we want, using the decimal point. Numbers can be placed to the left or right of a decimal point, to indicate values greater than one or less than one.

	The number to the left of the decimal point is a whole number.

	As we move further left, every number place gets 10 times bigger.

	The first digit on the right means tenths (1/10).

	As we move further right, every number place gets 10 times smaller (one tenth as big).

Definition of Decimal

The word "Decimal" means "based on 10" (From Latin decima: a tenth part).

We sometimes say "decimal" when we mean anything to do with our numbering system, but a "Decimal Number" usually means there is a Decimal Point.

Ways to think about Decimal Numbers ...

... as a Whole Number Plus Tenths, Hundredths, etc

You could think of a decimal number as a whole number plus tenths, hundredths, etc:

Example 1: What is 2.3 ?

On the left side is "2", that is the whole number part.
The 3 is in the "tenths" position, meaning "3 tenths", or 3/10
So, 2.3 is "2 and 3 tenths"

Example 2: What is 13.76 ?

On the left side is "13", that is the whole number part.
There are two digits on the left side, the 7 is in the "tenths" position, and the 6 is the "hundredths" position
So, 13.76 is "13 and 7 tenths and 6 hundredths"

... as a Decimal Fraction

Or, you could think of a decimal number as a Decimal Fraction.

A Decimal Fraction is a fraction where the denominator (the bottom number) is a number such as 10, 100, 1000, etc (in other words a power of ten)

So "2.3" would look like this:

And "13.76" would look like this:

1376

100

... as a Whole Number and Decimal Fraction

Or, you could think of a decimal number as a Whole Number plus a Decimal Fraction.

So "2.3" would look like this:

and

And "13.76" would look like this:

and

100