Math 376 Prealgebra Textbook

Chapter 5

Department of Mathematics
College of the Redwoods

June 23, 2010

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 Contents

5 Decimals 341
5.1 Introduction to Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Decimal Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Pronouncing Decimal Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Decimals to Fractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Rounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Comparing Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
5.2 Adding and Subtracting Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Adding Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Subtracting Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Adding and Subtracting Signed Decimal Numbers . . . . . . 362
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
5.3 Multiplying Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Multiplying Signed Decimal Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Order of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Powers of Ten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Multiplying Decimal Numbers by Powers of Ten . . . . . . . 376
The Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
5.4 Dividing Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Decimal Divisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Dividing Signed Decimal Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Rounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Dividing by Powers of Ten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Order of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399

iii
iv CONTENTS

5.5 Fractions and Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Terminating Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Repeating Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Expressions Containing Both Decimals and Fractions . . . . 405
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
5.6 Equations With Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Combining Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Combining Like Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Using the Distributive Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Rounding Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
5.7 Introduction to Square Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Square Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Radical Notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 426
Order of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428
Fractions and Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Estimating Square Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
5.8 The Pythagorean Theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445

Index 447
 Chapter 5

Decimals

On January 29, 2001, the New York Stock exchange ended its 200-year tradition
of quoting stock prices in fractions and switched to decimals.
It was said that pricing stocks the same way other consumer items were
priced would make it easier for investors to understand and compare stock
prices. Foreign exchanges had been trading in decimals for decades. Supporters
of the change claimed that trading volume, the number of shares of stock
traded, would increase and improve efficiency.
But switching to decimals would have another effect of narrowing the spread.
The spread is the difference between the best price offered by buyers, called
the bid, and the price requested by sellers called the ask. Stock brokers make
commissions as a percentage of the spread which, using fractions, could be
anywhere upwards from 12 cents per share.
When the New York Stock Exchange began back in 1792, the dollar was
based on the Spanish real, (pronounced ray-al), also called pieces of eight as
these silver coins were often cut into quarters or eighths to make change. This
is what led to stock prices first denominated in eighths. Thus, the smallest
spread that could occur would be 1/8 of a dollar, or 12.5 cents. That may
seem like small change, but buying 1000 shares for $1 per share with a $0.125
spread is a $125.00 commision. Not bad for a quick trade!
Decimalization of stock pricing allowed for spreads as small as 1 cent. Since
the number of shares traded on stock market exchanges have skyrocketed, with
trillions of shares traded daily, stock broker commissions have not suffered. And
the ease with which investors can quickly grasp the price of stock shares has
contributed to the opening of markets for all classes of people.
In this chapter, we’ll learn about how to compute and solve problems with
decimals, and see how they relate to fractions.

341
342 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

5.1 Introduction to Decimals

Recall that whole numbers are constructed by using digits.

The Digits. The set

{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

is called the set of digits.

As an example, the whole number 55,555 (“fifty-five thousand five hundred

fifty-five”) is constructed by using a single digit. However, the position of the
digit 5 determines its value in the number 55,555. The first occurrence of the

5 5 5 5 5
ten thousands

thousands

hundreds

ones
tens
10,000

1,000

100
10
1

Table 5.1: Place value.

digit 5 happens in the ten thousands place, so its value is 5 ten thousands, or
50,000. The next occurrence of the digit 5 is in the thousands place, so its
value is 5 thousands, or 5,000. Indeed, the whole number 55,555 in expanded
form is
50000 + 5000 + 500 + 50 + 5,

which reflects the value of the digit 5 in each place.

Decimal Notation
In Table 5.1, each time you move one column to the left, the place value is 10
times larger than the place value of the preceding column. Vice-versa, each
time you move one column to the right, the place value is 1/10 of the place
value of the preceding column.
Now, consider the decimal number 12.3456, which consists of three parts:
the whole number part, the decimal point, and the fractional part.
5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 343

12 . 3456

Whole number part Fractional part

Decimal point

The whole number part of the decimal number is the part that lies strictly
to the left of the decimal point, and the place value of each digit in the whole
number part is given by the columns shown in Table 5.1.
The fractional part of the decimal number is the part that lies strictly to
the right of the decimal point. As we saw in Table 5.1, each column has a value
equal to 1/10 of the value of the column that lies to its immediate left. Thus,
it should come as no surprise that:

• The first column to the right of the decimal point has place value 1/10
(tenths).

• The second column to the right of the decimal point has place value 1/100
(hundredths).

• The third column to the right of the decimal point has place value 1/1000
(thousandths).

• The fourth column to the right of the decimal point has place value
1/10000 (ten-thousandths).

These results are summarized for the decimal number 12.3456 in Table 5.2.

1 2 . 3 4 5 6
ten-thousandths
decimal point

thousandths
hundredths
tenths
ones
tens

1/10000
1/1000
1/100
1/10
10
1
.

Table 5.2: Place value.

 344 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Pronouncing Decimal Numbers

The decimal number 12.3456 is made up of 1 ten, 2 ones, 3 tenths, 4 hundredths,
5 thousandths, and 6 ten-thousandths (see Table 5.2), and can be written in
expanded form as
3 4 5 6
12.3456 = 10 + 2 + + + + .
10 100 1000 10000
Note that the whole numbers can be combined and the fractions can be written
with a common denominator and summed.
3 · 1000 4 · 100 5 · 10 6
12.3456 = 12 + + + +
10 · 1000 100 · 100 1000 · 10 10000
3000 400 50 6
= 12 + + + +
10000 10000 10000 10000
3456
= 12 +
10000
The result tells us how to pronounce the number 12.3456. It is pronounced
“twelve and three thousand, four hundred fifty-six ten-thousandths.”

You Try It!

Place the decimal number EXAMPLE 1. Place the decimal number 1,234.56 in expanded form, then
3,502.23 in expanded form, combine the whole number part and sum the fractional part over a common
then combine the whole denominator. Use the result to help pronounce the decimal number.
number part and sum the
Solution. In expanded form,
fractional part over a
common denominator 5 6
1, 234.56 = 1, 000 + 200 + 30 + 4 + +
10 100

Sum the whole number parts. Express the fractional parts as equivalent frac-
tions and combine over one common denominator.

5 · 10 6
= 1, 234 + +
10 · 10 100
50 6
= 1, 234 + +
100 100
56
= 1, 234 +
100
Hence, 1,234.56 is pronounced “one thousand, two hundred thirty-four and
23
Answer: 3, 502 + 100 fifty-six hundredths.”

5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 345

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 2. Place the decimal number 56.128 in expanded form, then Place the decimal number
combine the whole number part and sum the fractional part over a common 235.568 in expanded form,
denominator. Use the result to help pronounce the decimal number. then combine the whole
number part and sum the
Solution. In expanded form,
fractional part over a
1 2 8 common denominator
56.128 = 50 + 6 + + +
10 100 1000

Sum the whole number parts. Express the fractional parts as equivalent frac-
tions and combine over one common denominator.

1 · 100 2 · 10 8
= 56 + + +
10 · 100 100 · 10 1000
100 20 8
= 56 + + +
1000 1000 1000
128
= 56 +
1000
568
Thus, 56.128 is pronounced “fifty-six and one hundred twenty-eight thousandths.” Answer: 235 + 1000

The discussion and example leads to the following result.

How to Read a Decimal Number

1. Pronounce the whole number part to the left of the decimal as you would
any whole number.

2. Say the word “and” for the decimal point.

3. State the fractional part to the right of the decimal as you would any
whole number, followed by the place value of the digit in the rightmost
column.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 3. Pronounce the decimal number 34.12. Pronounce 28.73

Solution. The rightmost digit in the fractional part of 34.12 is in the hun-
dredths column. Thus, 34.12 is pronounced “thirty-four and twelve hundredths.” Answer: “Twenty-eight and
seventy-three hundredths”

 346 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Important Point. In pronouncing decimal numbers, the decimal point is

read as “and.” No other instance of the word “and” should appear in the
pronunciation.

You Try It!

Pronounce 286.9. EXAMPLE 4. Explain why “four hundred and thirty-four and two tenths”
is an incorrect pronunciation of the decimal number 434.2.
Solution. The decimal point is read as “and.” No other occurrence of the
word “and” is allowed in the pronunciation. The correct pronunciation should
Answer: “Four hundred be “four hundred thirty-four and two tenths.”
thirty-four and two tenths”


You Try It!

Pronounce 7, 002.207. EXAMPLE 5. Pronounce the decimal number 5,678.123.

Solution. The rightmost digit in the fractional part of 5,678.123 is in the
thousandths column. Hence, 5,678.123 is pronounced “5 thousand six hundred
Answer: “Seven thousand seventy-eight and one hundred twenty-three thousandths.”
two and two hundred seven
thousandths.”


You Try It!

Pronounce 500.1205. EXAMPLE 6. Pronounce the decimal number 995.4325.

Solution. The rightmost digit in the fractional part of 995.4325 is in the ten-
thousandths column. Hence, 995.4325 is pronounced “nine hundred ninety-five
Asnwer: “Five hundred and and four thousand three hundred twenty-five ten-thoudandths.”
one thousand two hundred
five ten-thousandths.”


Decimals to Fractions
Because we now have the ability to pronounce decimal numbers, it is a simple
exercise to change a decimal to a fraction.1 For example, 134.12 is pronounced
1 Changing fractions to decimals will be covered in Section 5.5.
5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 347

“one hundred thirty-four and twelve hundredths,” so it can easily be written

as a mixed fraction.
12
134.12 = 134
100
But this mixed fraction can be changed to an improper fraction.
12 100 · 134 + 12
134 =
100 100
13400 + 12
=
100
13412
=
100
Note that the numerator is our original number without the decimal point.
There are two decimal places in the original number and the denominator of
the final improper fraction contains two zeros.
This discussion leads to the following result.

Changing Decimals to Improper Fractions. To change a decimal number

to an improper fraction, proceed as follows:
1. Create a fraction.

2. Place the decimal number in the numerator without the decimal

point.
3. Count the number of decimal places. Place an equal number of zeros in
the denominator.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 7. Change the following decimal numbers to improper fractions: Change 17.205 to an
(a) 1.2345, and (b) 27.198. improper fraction.
Solution. In each case, place the number in the numerator without the decimal
point. In the denominator, add a number of zeros equal to the number of
decimal places.

a) The decimal number 1.2345 has four decimal places. Hence,

12345
1.2345 =
10000

b) The decimal number 27.198 has three decimal places. Hence,

27198
27.198 =
1000
17205
Answer:
100


 348 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Change 0.375 to a fraction, EXAMPLE 8. Change each of the following decimals to fractions reduced to
reduced to lowest terms. lowest terms: (a) 0.35, and (b) 0.125.
Solution. Place each number in the numerator without the decimal point.
Place a number of zeros in the denominator equal to the number of decimal
places. Reduce to lowest terms.

a) First, place 35 over 100.

35
0.35 =
100

We can divide both numerator and denominator by the greatest common

divisor.

35 ÷ 5
= Divide numerator and denominator by 5.
100 ÷ 5
7
= Simplify numerator and denominator.
20

b) First, place 125 over 1000.

125
0.125 =
1000

Prime factor and cancel common factors.

5·5·5
= Prime factor numerator and denominator.
2·2·2·5·5·5
5
· 5
· 5

= Cancel common factors.
2 · 2 · 2 ·
5 ·
5 ·
5
1
= Simplify.
8

Answer: 3/8

Rounding
The rules for rounding decimal numbers are almost identical to the rules for
rounding whole numbers. First, a bit of terminology.
5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 349

Rounding Digit and Test Digit. The digit in the place to which we wish to
round is called the rounding digit and the digit that follows on its immediate
right is called the test digit.

If we want to round the decimal number 12.254 to the nearest hundredth,

then the rounding digit is 5 and the test digit is 4.

Test digit

12.2 5 4

Rounding digit

If we used the rules for rounding whole numbers, because the test digit 4 is
less than 5, we would replace all digits to the right of the rounding digit with
zeros to obtain the following approximation.

12.254 ≈ 12.250

However, because
250 25
12.250 = 12 = 12 ,
1000 100
the trailing zero at the end of the fractional part is irrelevant. Hence, we trun-
cate every digit after the rounding digit and use the following approximation.

12.254 ≈ 12.25

Important Observation. Deleting trailing zeros from the end of the frac-
tional part of a decimal number does not change its value.

The above discussion motivates the following algorithm for rounding deci-
mal numbers.

Rounding Decimal Numbers. Locate the rounding digit and the test digit.

• If the test digit is greater than or equal to 5, add 1 to the rounding digit
and truncate all digits to the right of the rounding digit.
• If the test digit is less than 5, simply truncate all digits to the right of
the rounding digit.
 350 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Round 9.2768 to the nearest EXAMPLE 9. Round 8.7463 to the nearest hundredth.
hundredth.
Solution. Locate the rounding digit in the hundredths place and the test digit
to its immediate right.

Test digit

8.7 4 6 3

Rounding digit

Because the test digit is greater than 5, add 1 to the rounding digit and truncate
all digits to the right of the rounding digit. Hence, to the nearest hundredth:

8.7463 ≈ 8.75

Answer: 9.28


You Try It!

Round 58.748 to the nearest EXAMPLE 10. Round 113.246 to the nearest tenth.
tenth.
Solution. Locate the rounding digit in the tenths place and the test digit to
its immediate right.

Test digit

113. 2 4 6

Rounding digit

Because the test digit is less than 5, truncate all digits to the right of the
rounding digit. Hence, to the nearest tenth:

113.246 ≈ 113.2

Answer: 58.7


Comparing Decimals
We can compare two positive decimals by comparing digits in each place as
we move from left to right, place by place. For example, suppose we wish to
compare the decimal numbers 5.234 and 5.2357. First, add enough trailing
5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 351

zeros to the decimal number with the fewer decimal places so that the numbers
have the same number of decimal places. In this case, note that
234 2340
5.234 = 5 =5 = 5.2340.
1000 10000

Important Observation. Adding trailing zeros to the end of the fractional

part of a decimal number does not change its value.

Next, align the numbers as follows.

5.2340
5.2357
Same digit
Same digit
Same digit Different digit

As you scan the columns, moving left to right, the first place that has different
digits occurs in the thousandths place, where the digit 5 is the second number
is greater than the digit 4 in the first number in the same place. Because 5 is
greater than 4, the second number is larger than the first. That is:

5.234 < 5.2357

This discussion suggests the following algorithm.

Comparing Positive Decimal Numbers.

1. Add enough trailing zeros so that both numbers have the same number
of decimal places.
2. Compare the digits in each place, moving left to right.
3. As soon as you find two digits in the same place that are different, the
decimal number with the greatest digit in this place is the larger number.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 11. Compare 4.25 and 4.227. Compare 8.34 and 8.348.
Solution. Add a trailing zero to the first decimal number and align the num-
bers as follows.
4.250
4.227
Same digit
Same digit Different digit
 352 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

The first difference is in the hundredths place, where the digit 5 in the first
number is greater than the digit 2 in the same place of the second number.
Hence, the first number is larger than the second; that is:

4.25 > 4.227

Answer: 8.34 < 8.348



When comparing negative numbers, the number with the larger magnitude
is the smaller number. Hence, we have to adjust our algorithm for comparing
negative decimal numbers.

Comparing Negative Decimal Numbers.

1. Add enough trailing zeros so that both numbers have the same number
of decimal places.
2. Compare the digits in each place, moving left to right.
3. As soon as you find two digits in the same place that are different, the
decimal number with the greatest digit in this place is the smaller num-
ber.

You Try It!

Compare −7.86 and −7.85. EXAMPLE 12. Compare −4.25 and −4.227.
Solution. Add a trailing zero to the first decimal number and align the num-
bers as follows.
−4.250
−4.227
Same digit
Same digit Different digit
The first difference is in the hundredths place, where the digit 5 in the first
number is greater than the digit 2 in the same place of the second number.
Hence, the first number is smaller than the second; that is:

−4.25 < −4.227

Answer: −7.86 < −7.85


 5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 353

l l l Exercises l l l

1. Which digit is in the tenths column of the 7. Which digit is in the hundredths column
number 4,552.0908? of the number 3,501.4456?
2. Which digit is in the thousandths column 8. Which digit is in the ten-thousandths col-
of the number 7,881.6127? umn of the number 9,214.3625?
3. Which digit is in the tenths column of the 9. Which digit is in the hundredths column
number 4,408.2148? of the number 5,705.2193?
4. Which digit is in the tenths column of the 10. Which digit is in the hundredths column
number 9,279.0075? of the number 7,135.2755?
5. Which digit is in the ten-thousandths col- 11. Which digit is in the tenths column of the
umn of the number 2,709.5097? number 8,129.3075?
6. Which digit is in the hundredths column 12. Which digit is in the thousandths column
of the number 1,743.1634? of the number 6,971.4289?

In Exercises 13-20, write the given decimal number in expanded form.

13. 46.139 17. 14.829

14. 68.392 18. 45.913
15. 643.19 19. 658.71
16. 815.64 20. 619.38

In Exercises 21-28, follow the procedure shown in Examples 1 and 2 to write the decimal number
in expanded form, then combine the whole number part and sum the fractional part over a common
denominator.

21. 32.187 25. 596.71

22. 35.491 26. 754.23
23. 36.754 27. 527.49
24. 89.357 28. 496.15
 354 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

In Exercises 29-40, pronounce the given decimal number. Write your answer out in words.

29. 0.9837 35. 83.427

30. 0.6879 36. 32.759
31. 0.2653 37. 63.729
32. 0.8934 38. 85.327
33. 925.47 39. 826.57
34. 974.35 40. 384.72

In Exercises 41-52, convert the given decimal to a mixed fraction. Do not simplify your answer.

41. 98.1 47. 560.453

42. 625.591 48. 710.9
43. 781.7 49. 414.939
44. 219.999 50. 120.58
45. 915.239 51. 446.73
46. 676.037 52. 653.877

In Exercises 53-60, convert the given decimal to an improper fraction. Do not simplify your answer.

53. 8.7 57. 2.133

54. 3.1 58. 2.893
55. 5.47 59. 3.9
56. 5.27 60. 1.271

In Exercises 61-68, convert the given decimal to a fraction. Reduce your answer to lowest terms.

61. 0.35 65. 0.98

62. 0.38 66. 0.88
63. 0.06 67. 0.72
64. 0.84 68. 0.78
 5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 355

69. Round 79.369 to the nearest hundredth. 75. Round 89.3033 to the nearest thousandth.
70. Round 54.797 to the nearest hundredth. 76. Round 9.0052 to the nearest thousandth.
71. Round 71.2427 to the nearest thousandth. 77. Round 20.655 to the nearest tenth.
72. Round 59.2125 to the nearest thousandth. 78. Round 53.967 to the nearest tenth.
73. Round 29.379 to the nearest tenth. 79. Round 19.854 to the nearest hundredth.
74. Round 42.841 to the nearest tenth. 80. Round 49.397 to the nearest hundredth.

In Exercises 81-92, determine which of the two given statements is true.

81. 87.
0.30387617 < 0.3036562 18.62192 < 18.6293549
or or
0.30387617 > 0.3036562 18.62192 > 18.6293549
82. 88.
8.5934 < 8.554 514.873553 < 514.86374
or or
8.5934 > 8.554 514.873553 > 514.86374
83. 89.
−0.034 < −0.040493 36.8298 < 36.8266595
or or
−0.034 > −0.040493 36.8298 > 36.8266595
84. 90.
−0.081284 < −0.08118 0.000681 < 0.00043174
or or
−0.081284 > −0.08118 0.000681 > 0.00043174
85. 91.
−8.3527 < −8.36553 −15.188392 < −15.187157
or or
−8.3527 > −8.36553 −15.188392 > −15.187157
86. 92.
−0.00786 < −0.0051385 −0.049785 < −0.012916
or or
−0.00786 > −0.0051385 −0.049785 > −0.012916
 356 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

93. Write the decimal number in words.

i) A recently discovered 7.03-carat blue diamond auctioned at Sotheby’s.
ii) The newly launched European Planck telescope will stay in orbit 1.75 years measuring radiation
from the Big Bang.
iii) The sun composes 0.9985 of the mass in our solar system.
iv) Clay particles are small - only 0.0001 inch.

94. Light speed. The index of refraction for a given material is a value representing the number
of times slower a light wave travels in that particular material than it travels in the vacuum of
space.
i) Reorder the materials by their index of refraction from lowest to highest.
ii) How many times slower is a lightwave in a diamond compared with a vacuum?
Material Index of Refraction
Diamond 2.417
Vacuum 1.0000
Plexiglas 1.51
Air 1.0003
Water 1.333
Zircon 1.923
Crown Glass 1.52
Ice 1.31

95. Shorter day? Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory calculated that the earthquake
in Chile may have shortened the length of a day on Earth by 1.26 millionths of a second.
i) Write that number completely as a decimal.
ii) Actual observations of the length of the day are accurate to five millionths of a second. Write
this fraction as a decimal.
iii) Comparing the two decimals above and determine which is smaller. Do you think scientists
can observe and measure the calculated slowing of the earth?

l l l Answers l l l

1. 0 9. 1

3. 2 11. 3
1 3 9
5. 7 13. 40 + 6 + 10 + 100 + 1000

1 9
7. 4 15. 600 + 40 + 3 + 10 + 100
 5.1. INTRODUCTION TO DECIMALS 357

8 2 9 87
17. 10 + 4 + 10 + 100 + 1000 53.
10
7 1
19. 600 + 50 + 8 + 10 + 100 547
55.
21. 32 + 187 100
1000

754
2133
23. 36 + 57.
1000 1000
71
25. 596 + 100 39
59.
10
49
27. 527 + 100
7
61.
29. nine thousand eight hundred thirty-seven 20
ten-thousandths
3
63.
31. two thousand six hundred fifty-three ten- 50
thousandths
49
65.
33. nine hundred twenty-five and forty-seven 50
hundredths 18
67.
25
35. eighty-three and four hundred twenty-
seven thousandths 69. 79.37

37. sixty-three and seven hundred twenty-nine 71. 71.243

thousandths
73. 29.4
39. eight hundred twenty-six and fifty-seven
hundredths 75. 89.303
1
41. 98 77. 20.7
10
7 79. 19.85
43. 781
10
81. 0.30387617 > 0.3036562
239
45. 915
1000 83. −0.034 > −0.040493
453
47. 560 85. −8.3527 > −8.36553
1000
939 87. 18.62192 < 18.6293549
49. 414
1000
89. 36.8298 > 36.8266595
73
51. 446
100 91. −15.188392 < −15.187157
 358 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

93. i) seven and three hundredths 95. i) 0.00000126

ii) one and seventy-five hundredths ii) 0.000005
iii) nine thousand nine hundred eighty- iii) 0.00000126 < 0.000005; scientists
five ten-thousandths would be unable to measure the cal-
culated change in the length of a
iv) one ten-thousandth of an inch day.
5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 359

5.2 Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Adding Decimals
Addition of decimal numbers is quite similar to addition of whole numbers. For
example, suppose that we are asked to add 2.34 and 5.25. We could change
these decimal numbers to mixed fractions and add.
34 25
2.34 + 5.25 = 2 +5
100 100
59
=7
100
However, we can also line the decimal numbers on their decimal points and
add vertically, as follows.
2.34
+ 5.25
7.59
Note that this alignment procedure produces the same result, “seven and fifty
nine hundredths.” This motivates the following procedure for adding decimal
numbers.

Adding Decimals. To add decimal numbers, proceed as follows:

1. Place the numbers to be added in vertical format, aligning the decimal
points.
2. Add the numbers as if they were whole numbers.
3. Place the decimal point in the answer in the same column as the decimal
points above it.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 1. Add 3.125 and 4.814. Add: 2.864 + 3.029

Solution. Place the numbers in vertical format, aligning on their decimal
points. Add, then place the decimal point in the answer in the same column
as the decimal points that appear above the answer.

3.125
+ 4.814
7.939

Thus, 3.125 + 4.814 = 7.939. Answer: 5.893


 360 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Alice has $8.63 in her purse EXAMPLE 2. Jane has $4.35 in her purse. Jim has $5.62 in his wallet. If
and Joanna has $2.29. If they sum their money, what is the total?
they combine sum their
Solution. Arrange the numbers in vertical format, aligning decimal points,
money, what is the total?
then add.
$4.35
+ $5.62
$9.97

Answer: $10.91 Together they have $9.97, nine dollars and ninety seven cents.


Before looking at another example, let’s recall an important observation.

Important Observation. Adding zeros to the end of the fractional part of

a decimal number does not change its value. Similarly, deleting trailing zeros
from the end of a decimal number does not change its value.

For example, we could add two zeros to the end of the fractional part of 7.25
to obtain 7.2500. The numbers 7.25 and 7.2500 are identical as the following
argument shows:
2500
7.2500 = 7
10000
25
=7
100
= 7.25

You Try It!

Add: 9.7 + 15.86 EXAMPLE 3. Add 7.5 and 12.23.

Solution. Arrange the numbers in vertical format, aligning their decimal
points in a column. Note that we add a trailing zero to improve columnar
alignment.
7.50
+ 12.23
19.73

Answer: 25.56 Hence, 7.5 + 12.23 = 19.73.


5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 361

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 4. Find the sum: 12.2 + 8.352 + 22.44. Add: 12.9 + 4.286 + 33.97
Solution. Arrange the numbers in vertical format, aligning their decimal
points in a column. Note that we add trailing zeros to improve the columnar
alignment.
12.200
8.352
+ 22.440
42.992

Hence, 12.2 + 8.352 + 22.44 = 42.992. Answer: 51.156



Subtracting Decimals
Subtraction of decimal numbers proceeds in much the same way as addition of
decimal numbers.

Subtracting Decimals. To subtract decimal numbers, proceed as follows:

1. Place the numbers to be subtracted in vertical format, aligning the deci-
mal points.
2. Subtract the numbers as if they were whole numbers.
3. Place the decimal point in the answer in the same column as the decimal
points above it.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 5. Subtract 12.23 from 33.57. Subtract: 58.76 − 38.95

Solution. Arrange the numbers in vertical format, aligning their decimal
points in a column, then subtract. Note that we subtract 12.23 from 33.57.
33.57
− 12.23
21.34

Hence, 33.57 − 12.23 = 21.34. Asnwer: 19.81



As with addition, we add trailing zeros to the fractional part of the decimal
numbers to help columnar alignment.
 362 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Subtract: 15.2 − 8.756 EXAMPLE 6. Find the difference: 13.3 − 8.572.

Solution. Arrange the numbers in vertical format, aligning their decimal
points in a column. Note that we add trailing zeros to the fractional part of
13.3 to improve columnar alignment.
13.300
− 8.572
4.728
Answer: 6.444 Hence, 13.3 − 8.572 = 4.728.


Adding and Subtracting Signed Decimal Numbers

We use the same rules for addition of signed decimal numbers as we did for the
addition of integers.

Adding Two Decimals with Like Signs. To add two decimals with like
signs, proceed as follows:
1. Add the magnitudes of the decimal numbers.

2. Prefix the common sign.

You Try It!

Simplify: −5.7 + (−83.85) EXAMPLE 7. Simplify: −3.2 + (−18.95).

Solution. To add like signs, first add the magnitudes.
3.20
+ 18.95
22.15
Answer: −89.55 Prefix the common sign. Hence, −3.2 + (−18.95) = −22.15


We use the same rule as we did for integers when adding decimals with
unlike signs.

Adding Two Decimals with Unlike Signs. To add two decimals with
unlike signs, proceed as follows:
5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 363

1. Subtract the smaller magnitude from the larger magnitude.

2. Prefix the sign of the decimal number with the larger magnitude.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 8. Simplify: −3 + 2.24. Simplify: −8 + 5.74

Solution. To add unlike signs, first subtract the smaller magnitude from the
larger magnitude.
3.00
− 2.24
0.76
Prefix the sign of the decimal number with the larger magnitude. Hence,
−3 + 2.24 = −0.76. Answer: −2.26

Subtraction still means add the opposite.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 9. Simplify: −8.567 − (−12.3). Simplify: −2.384 − (−15.2)

Solution. Subtraction must first be changed to addition by adding the oppo-
site.
−8.567 − (−12.3) = −8.567 + 12.3
We have unlike signs. First, subtract the smaller magnitude from the larger
magnitude.
12.300
− 8.567
3.733
Prefix the sign of the decimal number with the larger magnitude. Hence:
−8.567 − (−12.3) = −8.567 + 12.3
= 3.733
Answer: 12.816

Order of operations demands that we simplify expressions contained in
parentheses first.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 10. Simplify: −11.2 − (−8.45 + 2.7). Simplify:

Solution. We need to add inside the parentheses first. Because we have unlike −12.8 − (−7.44 + 3.7)
signs, subtract the smaller magnitude from the larger magnitude.
 364 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

8.45
− 2.70
5.75
Prefix the sign of the number with the larger magnitude. Therefore,

−11.2 − (−8.45 + 2.7) = −11.2 − (−5.75)

Subtraction means add the opposite.

−11.2 − (−5.75) = −11.2 + 5.75

Again, we have unlike signs. Subtract the smaller magnitude from the larger
magnitude.
11.20
− 5.75
5.45
Prefix the sign of the number with the large magnitude.

−11.2 + 5.75 = −5.45

Answer: −9.06


Writing Mathematics. The solution to the previous example should be

written as follows:

−11.2 − (−8.45 + 2.7) = −11.2 − (−5.75)

= −11.2 + 5.75
= −5.45

Any scratch work, such as the computations in vertical format in the previous
example, should be done in the margin or on a scratch pad.
5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 365

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 11. Simplify: −12.3 − | − 4.6 − (−2.84)|. Simplify:

Solution. We simplify the expression inside the absolute value bars first, take −8.6 − | − 5.5 − (−8.32)|
the absolute value of the result, then subtract.

−12.3 − | − 4.6 − (−2.84)|

= −12.3 − | − 4.6 + 2.84| Add the opposite.
= −12.3 − | − 1.76| Add: −4.6 + 2.84 = −1.76.
= −12.3 − 1.76 | − 1.76| = 1.76.
= −12.3 + (−1.76) Add the opposite.
= −14.06 Add: −12.3 + (−1.76) = −14.06.

Answer: −11.42

 366 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-12, add the decimals.

1. 31.9 + 84.7 7. 95.57 + 7.88

2. 9.39 + 7.7 8. 18.7 + 7
3. 4 + 97.18 9. 52.671 + 5.97
4. 2.645 + 2.444 10. 9.696 + 28.2
5. 4 + 87.502 11. 4.76 + 2.1
6. 23.69 + 97.8 12. 1.5 + 46.4

In Exercises 13-24, subtract the decimals.

13. 9 − 2.261 19. 60.575 − 6

14. 98.14 − 7.27 20. 8.91 − 2.68
15. 80.9 − 6 21. 39.8 − 4.5
16. 9.126 − 6 22. 8.210 − 3.7
17. 55.672 − 3.3 23. 8.1 − 2.12
18. 4.717 − 1.637 24. 7.675 − 1.1

In Exercises 25-64, add or subtract the decimals, as indicated.

25. −19.13 − 7 35. −43.3 + 2.2

26. −8 − 79.8 36. 0.08 + (−2.33)
27. 6.08 − 76.8 37. 0.19 − 0.7
28. 5.76 − 36.8 38. 9 − 18.01
29. −34.7 + (−56.214) 39. −7 − 1.504
30. −7.5 + (−7.11) 40. −4.28 − 2.6
31. 8.4 + (−6.757) 41. −4.47 + (−2)
32. −1.94 + 72.85 42. −9 + (−43.67)
33. −50.4 + 7.6 43. 71.72 − (−6)
34. 1.4 + (−86.9) 44. 6 − (−8.4)
 5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 367

45. −9.829 − (−17.33) 55. −6.32 + (−48.663)

46. −95.23 − (−71.7) 56. −8.8 + (−34.27)
47. 2.001 − 4.202 57. −8 − (−3.686)
48. 4 − 11.421 58. −2.263 − (−72.3)
49. 2.6 − 2.99 59. 9.365 + (−5)
50. 3.57 − 84.21 60. −0.12 + 6.973
51. −4.560 − 2.335 61. 2.762 − (−7.3)
52. −4.95 − 96.89 62. 65.079 − (−52.6)
53. −54.3 − 3.97 63. −96.1 + (−9.65)
54. −2 − 29.285 64. −1.067 + (−4.4)

In Exercises 65-80, simplify the given expression.

65. −12.05 − |17.83 − (−17.16)| 73. −1.7 − (1.9 − (−16.25))

66. 15.88 − | − 5.22 − (−19.94)| 74. −4.06 − (4.4 − (−10.04))
67. −6.4 + |9.38 − (−9.39)| 75. 1.2 + |8.74 − 16.5|
68. −16.74 + |16.64 − 2.6| 76. 18.4 + |16.5 − 7.6|
69. −19.1 − (1.51 − (−17.35)) 77. −12.4 − |3.81 − 16.4|
70. 17.98 − (10.07 − (−10.1)) 78. 13.65 − |11.55 − (−4.44)|
71. 11.55 + (6.3 − (−1.9)) 79. −11.15 + (11.6 − (−16.68))
72. −8.14 + (16.6 − (−15.41)) 80. 8.5 + (3.9 − 6.98)

81. Big Banks. Market capitalization of nation’s four largest banks (as of April 23, 2009 )
JPMorgan Chase & Co $124.8 billion
Wells Fargo & Co. $85.3 billion
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. $61.8 billion
Bank of America $56.4 billion
What is the total value of the nation’s four largest banks? Associated Press Times-Standard
4/22/09

82. Telescope Mirror. The newly launched Herschel Telescope has a mirror 11.5 feet in diameter
while Hubble’s mirror is 7.9 feet in diameter. How much larger is Herschel’s mirror in diameter
than Hubble’s?
 368 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

83. Average Temperature. The average temperatures in Sacramento, California in July are a high
daytime temperature of 93.8 degrees Fahrenheit and a low nighttime temperature of 60.9 degrees
Fahrenheit. What is the change in temperature from day to night? Hint: See Section 2.3 for the
formula for comparing temperatures.

84. Average Temperature. The average temperatures in Redding, California in July are a high
daytime temperature of 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit and a low nighttime temperature of 64.9 degrees
Fahrenheit. What is the change in temperature from day to night? Hint: See Section 2.3 for the
formula for comparing temperatures.

85. Net Worth. Net worth is defined as assets minus liabilities. Assets are everything of value that
can be converted to cash while liabilities are the total of debts. General Growth Properties, the
owners of the Bayshore Mall, have $29.6 billion in assets and $27 billion in liabilities, and have gone
bankrupt. What was General Growth Properties net worth before bankruptcy? Times-Standard
4/17/2009

86. Grape crush. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s preliminary grape crush
report shows that the state produced 3.69 million tons of wine grapes in 2009. That’s just shy of
the record 2005 crush of 3.76 million tons. By how many tons short of the record was the crush
of 2009? Associated Press-Times-Standard Calif. winegrapes harvest jumped 23% in ’09.

87. Turnover. The Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey claims that
employers hired about 4.08 million people in January 2010 while 4.12 million people were fired
or otherwise left their jobs. How many more people lost jobs than were hired? Convert your
answer to a whole number. Associated Press-Times-Standard 03/10/10 Job openings up sharply
in January to 2.7M.

l l l Answers l l l

1. 116.6 17. 52.372

3. 101.18 19. 54.575

21. 35.3
5. 91.502
23. 5.98
7. 103.45
25. −26.13
9. 58.641
27. −70.72
11. 6.86
29. −90.914
13. 6.739 31. 1.643

15. 74.9 33. −42.8

 5.2. ADDING AND SUBTRACTING DECIMALS 369

35. −41.1 63. −105.75

37. −0.51 65. −47.04

39. −8.504 67. 12.37

41. −6.47
69. −37.96
43. 77.72
71. 19.75
45. 7.501
73. −19.85
47. −2.201
75. 8.96
49. −0.39
77. −24.99
51. −6.895
79. 17.13
53. −58.27
81. $328.3 billion
55. −54.983

57. −4.314 83. −32.9 degrees Fahrenheit

59. 4.365 85. $2.6 billion

61. 10.062 87. 40, 000

 370 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

5.3 Multiplying Decimals

Multiplying decimal numbers involves two steps: (1) multiplying the numbers
as whole numbers, ignoring the decimal point, and (2) placing the decimal
point in the correct position in the product or answer.
For example, consider (0.7)(0.08), which asks us to find the product of
“seven tenths” and “eight hundredths.” We could change these decimal num-
bers to fractions, then multiply.

7 8
(0.7)(0.08) = ·
10 100
56
=
1000
= 0.056

The product is 56/1000, or “fifty six thousandths,” which as a decimal is written

0.056.

Important Observations. There are two very important observations to be

made about the example (0.7)(0.08).

1. In fractional form
7 8 56
· = ,
10 100 1000

note that the numerator of the product is found by taking the product
of the whole numbers 7 and 8. That is, you ignore the decimal points in
0.7 and 0.08 and multiply 7 and 8 as if they were whole numbers.

2. The first factor, 0.7, has one digit to the right of the decimal point.
Its fractional equivalent, 7/10, has one zero in its denominator. The
second factor, 0.08, has two digits to the right of the decimal point. Its
fractional equivalent, 8/100, has two zeros in its denominator. Therefore,
the product 56/1000 is forced to have three zeros in its denominator and
its decimal equivalent, 0.056, must therefore have three digits to the right
of the decimal point.

Let’s look at another example.

You Try It!

Multiply: (1.86)(9.5) EXAMPLE 1. Simplify: (2.34)(1.2).

5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 371

Solution. Change the decimal numbers “two and thirty four hundredths” and
“one and two tenths” to fractions, then multiply.
34 2
(2.34)(1.2) = 2 ·1 Change decimals to fractions.
100 10
234 12
= · Change mixed to improper fractions.
100 10
2808
= Multiply numerators and denominators.
1000
808
=2 Change to mixed fraction.
1000
= 2.808 Change back to decimal form.

Answer: 17.67


Important Observations. We make the same two observations as in the

previous example.
1. If we treat the decimal numbers as whole numbers without decimal points,
then (234)(12) = 2808, which is the numerator of the fraction 2808/1000
in the solution shown in Example 1. These are also the same digits shown
in the answer 2.808.
2. There are two digits to the right of the decimal point in the first factor
2.34 and one digit to the right of the decimal point in the second factor
1.2. This is a total of three digits to the right of the decimal points in
the factors, which is precisely the same number of digits that appear to
the right of the decimal point in the answer 2.808.
The observations made at the end of the previous two examples lead us to
the following method.

Multiplying Decimal Numbers. To multiply two decimal numbers, perform

the following steps:
1. Ignore the decimal points in the factors and multiply the two factors as
if they were whole numbers.
2. Count the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in each
factor. Sum these two numbers.
3. Place the decimal point in the product so that the number of digits to
the right of the decimal point equals the sum found in step 2.
 372 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Multiply: (5.98)(3.7) EXAMPLE 2. Use the steps outlined in Multiplying Decimal Numbers to
find the product in Example 1.
Solution. We follow the steps outlined in Multiplying Decimal Numbers.

1. The first step is to multiply the factors 2.34 and 1.2 as whole numbers,
ignoring the decimal points.

234
× 12
468
234
2808

2. The second step is to find the sum of the number of digits to the right
of the decimal points in each factor. Note that 2.34 has two digits to
the right of the decimal point, while 1.2 has one digit to the right of the
decimal point. Thus, we have a total of three digits to the right of the
decimal points in the factors.
3. The third and final step is to place the decimal point in the product or
answer so that there are a total of three digits to the right of the decimal
point. Thus,

(2.34)(1.2) = 2.808.

Note that this is precisely the same solution found in Example 1.

What follows is a convenient way to arrange your work in vertical format.

2.34
× 1.2
468
2 34
2.808

Answer: 22.126


You Try It!

Multiply: (9.582)(8.6) EXAMPLE 3. Simplify: (8.235)(2.3).

Solution. We use the convenient vertical format introduced at the end of
Example 2.
5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 373

8.235
× 2.3
2 4705
16 470
18.9405

The factor 8.235 has three digits to the right of the decimal point; the factor
2.3 has one digit to the right of the decimal point. Therefore, there must be a
total of four digits to the right of the decimal point in the product or answer. Answer: 82.4052


Multiplying Signed Decimal Numbers

The rules governing multiplication of signed decimal numbers are identical to
the rules governing multiplication of integers.

Like Signs. The product of two decimal numbers with like signs is positive.
That is:
(+)(+) = + and (−)(−) = +
Unike Signs. The product of two decimal numbers with unlike signs is nega-
tive. That is:
(+)(−) = − and (−)(+) = −

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 4. Simplify: (−2.22)(−1.23). Multiply: (−3.86)(−5.77)

Solution. Ignore the signs to do the multiplication on the left, then consider
the signs in the final answer on the right.

As each factor has two digits to the Like signs give a positive product.
right of the decimal point, there Hence:
should be a total of 4 decimals to
the right of the decimal point in the (−2.22)(−1.23) = 1.6206
product.
2.22
× 1.23
666
444
1 11
1.6206 Answer: 22.2722

 374 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Multiply: (9.23)(−0.018) EXAMPLE 5. Simplify: (5.68)(−0.012).

Solution. Ignore the signs to do the multiplication on the left, then consider
the signs in the final answer on the right.

The first factor has two digits to Unlike signs give a negative prod-
the right of the decimal point, the uct. Hence:
second factor has three. Therefore,
there must be a total of five digits (5.68)(−0.012) = −0.06816
to the right of the decimal point in
the product or answer. This neces-
sitates prepending an extra zero in
front of our product.
5.68
× 0.012
1136
568
Answer: −0.16614 0.06816


Order of Operations
The same Rules Guiding Order of Operations also apply to decimal numbers.

Rules Guiding Order of Operations. When evaluating expressions, pro-

ceed in the following order.
1. Evaluate expressions contained in grouping symbols first. If grouping
symbols are nested, evaluate the expression in the innermost pair of
grouping symbols first.
2. Evaluate all exponents that appear in the expression.
3. Perform all multiplications and divisions in the order that they appear
in the expression, moving left to right.
4. Perform all additions and subtractions in the order that they appear in
the expression, moving left to right.

You Try It!

If a = 3.8 and b = −4.6, EXAMPLE 6. If a = 3.1 and b = −2.4, evaluate a2 − 3.2b2 .

evaluate the expression:

2.5a2 − b2
5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 375

Solution. Prepare the expression for substitution using parentheses.

 2  2
a2 − 3.2b2 = − 3.2

Substitute 3.1 for a and −2.4 for b and simplify.

a2 − 3.2b2 = (3.1)2 − 3.2(−2.4)2 Substitute: 3.1 for a, −2.4 for b.

= 9.61 − 3.2(5.76) Exponents first: (3.1)2 = 9.61, (−2.4)2 = 5.76
= 9.61 − 18.432 Multiply: 3.2(5.76) = 18.432
= −8.822 Subtract: 9.61 − 18.432 = −8.822

Answer: 14.94


Powers of Ten
Consider:

101 = 10
102 = 10 · 10 = 100
103 = 10 · 10 · 10 = 1, 000
104 = 10 · 10 · 10 · 10 = 10, 000

Note the answer for 104 , a one followed by four zeros! Do you see the pattern?

Powers of Ten. In the expression 10n , the exponent matches the number of
zeros in the answer. Hence, 10n will be a 1 followed by n zeros.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 7. Simplify: 109 . Simplify: 106

Solution. 109 should be a 1 followed by 9 zeros. That is,

109 = 1, 000, 000, 000,

or “one billion.” Answer: 1, 000, 000


 376 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Multiplying Decimal Numbers by Powers of Ten

Let’s multiply 1.234567 by 103 , or equivalently, by 1,000. Ignore the decimal
point and multiply the numbers as whole numbers.

1.234567
×1000
1234.567000

The sum total of digits to the right of the decimal point in each factor is 6.
Therefore, we place the decimal point in the product so that there are six digits
to the right of the decimal point.
However, the trailing zeros may be removed without changing the value of
the product. That is, 1.234567 times 1000 is 1234.567. Note that the decimal
point in the product is three places further to the right than in the original
factor. This observation leads to the following result.

Multiplying a Decimal Number by a Power of Ten. Multiplying a

decimal number by 10n will move the decimal point n places to the right.

You Try It!

Simplify: 1.234567 · 102 EXAMPLE 8. Simplify: 1.234567 · 104

Solution. Multiplying by 104 (or equivalently, by 10,000) moves the decimal
Answer: 123.4567 4 places to the right. Thus, 1.234567 · 10, 000 = 12345.67.


The Circle
Let’s begin with a definition.

The Circle. A circle is the collection of all points equidistant from a given
point O, called the center of the circle.

O
r

The segment joining any point on the circle to the center of the circle is called
a radius of the circle. In the figure above, the variable r represents the length
of the radius of the circle.
5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 377

We need another term, the diameter of a circle.

The Diameter of a Circle. If two points on a circle are connected with a

line segment, then that segment is called a chord of the circle. If the chord
passes through the center of the circle, then the chord is called the diameter
of the circle.

In the figure above, the variable d represents the length of the diameter of the
circle. Note that the diameter is twice the length of the radius; in symbols,

d = 2r.

The Circumference of a Circle

When we work with polygons, the perimeter of the polygon is found by sum-
ming the lengths of its edges. The circle uses a different name for its perimeter.

The Circumference of a Circle. The length of the circle is called its cir-
cumference. We usually use the variable C to denote the circumference of a
circle.

That is, if one were to walk along the circle, the total distance traveled in one
revolution is the circumference of the circle.
The ancient mathematicians of Egypt and Greece noted a striking relation
between the circumference of a circle and its diameter. They discovered that
whenever you divide a circle’s circumference by its diameter, you get a constant.
That is, if you take a very large circle and divide its circumference by its
diameter, you get exactly the same number if you take a very small circle and
divide its circumference by its diameter. This common constant was named π
(“pi”).

Relating the Circumference and Diameter. Whenever a circle’s circum-

ference is divided by its diameter, the answer is the constant π. That is, if C
is the circumference of the circle and d is the circle’s diameter, then
C
= π.
d
In modern times, we usually multiply both sides of this equation by d to obtain
the formula for the circumference of a circle.

C = πd
 378 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Because the diameter of a circle is twice the length of its radius, we can substi-
tute d = 2r in the last equation to get an alternate form of the circumference
equation.
C = π(2r) = 2πr

The number π has a rich and storied history. Ancient geometers from
Egypt, Babylonia, India, and Greece knew that π was slightly larger than 3.
The earliest known approximations date from around 1900 BC (Wikipedia);
they are 25/8 (Babylonia) and 256/81 (Egypt). The Indian text Shatapatha
Brahmana gives π as 339/108 ≈ 3.139. Archimedes (287-212 BC) was the
first to estimate π rigorously, approximating the circumference of a circle with
inscribed and circumscribed polygons. He was able to prove that 223/71 <
π < 22/7. Taking the average of these values yields π ≈ 3.1419. Modern
mathematicians have proved that π is an irrational number, an infinite decimal
that never repeats any pattern. Mathematicians, with the help of computers,
routinely produce approximations of π with billions of digits after the decimal
point.

Digits of Pi. Here is π, correct to the first fifty digits.

π = 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510 . . .

The number of digits of π used depends on the application. Working at

very small scales, one might keep many digits of π, but if you are building a
circular garden fence in your backyard, then fewer digits of π are needed.

You Try It!

Find the radius of a circle EXAMPLE 9. Find the circumference of a circle given its radius is 12 feet.
having radius 14 inches. Use
Solution. The circumference of the circle is given by the formula C = πd, or,
π ≈ 3.14
because d = 2r,
C = 2πr.
Substitute 12 for r.
C = 2πr = 2π(12) = 24π
Therefore, the circumference of the circle is exactly C = 24π feet.
We can approximate the circumference by entering an approximation for π.
Let’s use π ≈ 3.14. Note: The symbol ≈ is read “approximately equal to.”

C = 24π ≈ 24(3.14) ≈ 75.36 feet

It is important to understand that the solution C = 24π feet is the exact

Answer: 87.92 inches circumference, while C ≈ 75.36 feet is only an approximation.

5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 379

The Area of a Circle

Here’s a reasonable argument used to help develop a formula for the area of
a circle. Start with a circle of radius r and divide it into 8 equal wedges, as
shown in the figure that follows.

Rearrange the pieces as shown in the following figure.

πr
Note that the rearranged pieces almost form a rectangle with length approx-
imately half the circumference of the circle, πr, and width approximately r.
The area would be approximately A ≈ (length)(width) ≈ (πr)(r) ≈ πr2 . This
approximation would be even better if we doubled the number of wedges of the
circle.

πr
If we doubled the number of wedges again, the resulting figure would even
more closely resemble a rectangle with length πr and width r. This leads to
the following conclusion.

The Area of a Circle. The area of a circle of radius r is given by the formula

A = πr2 .

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 10. Find the area of a circle having a diameter of 12.5 meters. Find the area of a circle
Use 3.14 for π and round the answer for the area to the nearest tenth of a having radius 12.2
square meter. centimeters. Use π ≈ 3.14
Solution. The diameter is twice the radius.

d = 2r
 380 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Substitute 12.5 for d and solve for r.

12.5 = 2r Substitute 12.5 for d.

12.5 2r
= Divide both sides by 2.
2 2
6.25 = r Simiplify.

Hence, the radius is 6.25 meters. To find the area, use the formula

A = πr2

and substutite: 3.14 for π and 6.25 for r.

A = (3.14)(6.25)2 Substitute: 3.14 for π, 6.25 for r.

= (3.14)(39.0625) Square first: (6.25)2 = 39.0625.
= 122.65625 Multiply: (3.14)(39.0625) = 122.65625.

Hence, the approximate area of the circle is A = 122.65625 square meters. To

round to the nearest tenth of a square meter, identify the rounding digit and
the test digit.

Test digit

122. 6 5 625

Rounding digit

Because the test digit is greater than or equal to 5, add 1 to the rounding digit
and truncate. Thus, correct to the nearest tenth of a square meter, the area of
the circle is approximately
A ≈ 122.7 m2 .
Answer: 467.3576 cm2

 5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 381

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-28, multiply the decimals.

1. (6.7)(0.03) 15. (9.9)(6.7)

2. (2.4)(0.2) 16. (7.2)(6.1)
3. (28.9)(5.9) 17. (19.5)(7.9)
4. (33.5)(2.1) 18. (43.4)(8.9)
5. (4.1)(4.6) 19. (6.9)(0.3)
6. (2.6)(8.2) 20. (7.7)(0.7)
7. (75.3)(0.4) 21. (35.3)(3.81)
8. (21.4)(0.6) 22. (5.44)(9.58)
9. (6.98)(0.9) 23. (2.32)(0.03)
10. (2.11)(0.04) 24. (4.48)(0.08)
11. (57.9)(3.29) 25. (3.02)(6.7)
12. (3.58)(16.3) 26. (1.26)(9.4)
13. (47.3)(0.9) 27. (4.98)(6.2)
14. (30.7)(0.4) 28. (3.53)(2.9)

In Exercises 29-56, multiply the decimals.

29. (−9.41)(0.07) 39. (−39.3)(−0.8)

30. (4.45)(−0.4) 40. (57.7)(−0.04)
31. (−7.4)(−0.9) 41. (63.1)(−0.02)
32. (−6.9)(0.05) 42. (−51.1)(−0.8)
33. (−8.2)(3.7) 43. (−90.8)(3.1)
34. (−7.5)(−6.6) 44. (−74.7)(2.9)
35. (9.72)(−9.1) 45. (47.5)(−82.1)
36. (6.22)(−9.4) 46. (−14.8)(−12.7)
37. (−6.4)(2.6) 47. (−31.1)(−4.8)
38. (2.3)(−4.4) 48. (−28.7)(−6.8)
 382 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

49. (−2.5)(−0.07) 53. (7.81)(−5.5)

50. (−1.3)(−0.05) 54. (−1.94)(4.2)
51. (1.02)(−0.2) 55. (−2.09)(37.9)
52. (−7.48)(−0.1) 56. (20.6)(−15.2)

In Exercises 57-68, multiply the decimal by the given power of 10.

57. 24.264 · 10 63. 37.968 · 103

58. 65.722 · 100 64. 43.552 · 103
59. 53.867 · 104 65. 61.303 · 100
4
60. 23.216 · 10 66. 83.837 · 1000
61. 5.096 · 103 67. 74.896 · 1000
3
62. 60.890 · 10 68. 30.728 · 100

In Exercises 69-80, simplify the given expression.

69. (0.36)(7.4) − (−2.8)2 75. 6.3 − 4.2(9.3)2

70. (−8.88)(−9.2) − (−2.3)2 76. 9.9 − (−4.1)(8.5)2
71. 9.4 − (−7.7)(1.2)2 77. (6.3)(1.88) − (−2.2)2
72. 0.7 − (−8.7)(−9.4)2 78. (−4.98)(−1.7) − 3.52
73. 5.94 − (−1.2)(−1.8)2 79. (−8.1)(9.4) − 1.82
74. −2.6 − (−9.8)(9.9)2 80. (−3.63)(5.2) − 0.82

81. Given a = −6.24, b = 0.4, and c = 7.2, 85. Given a = −3.21, b = 3.5, and c = 8.3,
evaluate the expression a − bc2 . evaluate the expression a − bc2 .
82. Given a = 4.1, b = −1.8, and c = −9.5, 86. Given a = 7.45, b = −6.1, and c = −3.5,
evaluate the expression a − bc2 . evaluate the expression a − bc2 .
83. Given a = −2.4, b = −2.1, and c = −4.6, 87. Given a = −4.5, b = −6.9, and c = 4.6,
evaluate the expression ab − c2 . evaluate the expression ab − c2 .
84. Given a = 3.3, b = 7.3, and c = 3.4, eval- 88. Given a = −8.3, b = 8.2, and c = 5.4,
uate the expression ab − c2 . evaluate the expression ab − c2 .
 5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 383

89. A circle has a diameter of 8.56 inches. Us- 93. A circle has a diameter of 10.75 inches.
ing π ≈ 3.14, find the circumference of Using π ≈ 3.14, find the area of the cir-
the circle, correct to the nearest tenth of cle, correct to the nearest hundredth of a
an inch. square inch.
90. A circle has a diameter of 14.23 inches. 94. A circle has a diameter of 15.49 inches.
Using π ≈ 3.14, find the circumference of Using π ≈ 3.14, find the area of the cir-
the circle, correct to the nearest tenth of cle, correct to the nearest hundredth of a
an inch. square inch.
91. A circle has a diameter of 12.04 inches. 95. A circle has a diameter of 13.96 inches.
Using π ≈ 3.14, find the circumference of Using π ≈ 3.14, find the area of the cir-
the circle, correct to the nearest tenth of cle, correct to the nearest hundredth of a
an inch. square inch.
92. A circle has a diameter of 14.11 inches. 96. A circle has a diameter of 15.95 inches.
Using π ≈ 3.14, find the circumference of Using π ≈ 3.14, find the area of the cir-
the circle, correct to the nearest tenth of cle, correct to the nearest hundredth of a
an inch. square inch.

97. Sue has decided to build a circular fish pond near her patio. She wants it to be 15 feet in diameter
and 1.5 feet deep. What is the volume of water it will hold? Use π ≈ 3.14. Hint: The volume
of a cylinder is given by the formula V = πr2 h, which is the area of the circular base times the
height of the cylinder.

98. John has a decision to make regarding his employment. He currently has a job at Taco Loco in
Fortuna. After taxes, he makes about $9.20 per hour and works about 168 hours a month. He
currently pays $400 per month for rent. He has an opportunity to move to Santa Rosa and take
a job at Mi Ultimo Refugio which would pay $10.30 per hour after taxes for 168 hours a month,
but his rent would cost $570 per month.
a) After paying for housing in Fortuna, how much does he have left over each month for other
expenditures?
b) After paying for housing in Santa Rosa, how much would he have left over each month for
other expenditures?
c) For which job would he have more money left after paying rent and how much would it be?

99. John decided to move to Santa Rosa and take the job at Mi Ultimo Refugio (see Exercise 98). He
was able to increase his income because he could work 4 Sundays a month at time-and-a half. So
now he worked 32 hours a month at time-and-a-half and 136 hours at the regular rate of $10.30
(all after taxes were removed). Note: He previously had worked 168 hours per month at $10.30
per hour.
a) What was his new monthly income?
b) How much did his monthly income increase?
 384 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

100. Electric Bill. On a recent bill, PGE charged $0.11531 per Kwh for the first 333 Kwh of electrical
power used. If a household used 312 Kwh of power, what was their electrical bill?

101. Cabernet. In Napa Valley, one acre of good land can produce about 3.5 tons of quality grapes. At
an average price of $3,414 per ton for premium cabernet, how much money could you generate on
one acre of cabernet farming? Associated Press-Times-Standard 03/11/10 Grape moth threatens
Napa Valley growing method.

102. Fertilizer. Using the 2008 Ohio Farm Custom Rates, the average cost for spreading dry bulk
fertilizer is about $4.50 per acre. What is the cost to fertilize 50 acres?

103. Agribusiness. Huge corporate agribarns house 1000 pigs each.

a) If each pig weighs approximately 100 pounds, how many pounds of pig is in each warehouse?
b) At an average $1.29 per pound, what is the total cash value for a corporate agribarn? Associated
Press-Times-Standard 12/29/09 Pressure rises to stop antibiotics in agriculture.

104. Shipwrecks. A dozen centuries-old shipwrecks were found in the Baltic Sea by a gas company
building an underwater pipeline between Russia and Germany. The 12 wrecks were found in
a 30-mile-long and 1.2-mile-wide corridor at a depth of 430 feet. Model the corridor with a
rectangle and find the approximate area of the region where the ships were found. Associated
Press-Times-Standard 03/10/10 Centuries-old shipwrecks found in Baltic Sea.

105. Radio dish. The diameter of the “workhorse fleet” of radio telescopes, like the one in Goldstone,
California, is 230 feet. What is the circumference of the radio telescope dish to the nearest tenth?
Associated Press-Times-Standard 03/09/2010 NASA will repair deep space antenna in California
desert.

l l l Answers l l l

1. 0.201 17. 154.05

3. 170.51 19. 2.07

5. 18.86 21. 134.493

7. 30.12 23. 0.0696

9. 6.282 25. 20.234

11. 190.491 27. 30.876

13. 42.57 29. −0.6587

31. 6.66
15. 66.33
 5.3. MULTIPLYING DECIMALS 385

33. −30.34 73. 9.828

35. −88.452 75. −356.958

37. −16.64 77. 7.004

39. 31.44
79. −79.38
41. −1.262
81. −26.976
43. −281.48
83. −16.12
45. −3899.75
85. −244.325
47. 149.28
87. 9.89
49. 0.175
89. 26.9 in.
51. −0.204

53. −42.955 91. 37.8 in.

55. −79.211 93. 90.72 square inches

57. 242.64 95. 152.98 square inches

59. 538670 97. 264.9375 cubic feet

61. 5096 99. a) $1895.20

63. 37968 b) $164.80

65. 6130.3 101. $11, 949

67. 74896 103. a) 100, 000 pounds

69. −5.176 b) $129,000

71. 20.488 105. 722.2 feet

386 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

5.4 Dividing Decimals

In this and following sections we make use of the terms divisor, dividend, quo-
tient, and remainder.

Divisor, Dividend, Quotient, and Remainder. This schematic reminds

readers of the position of these terms in the division process.
quotient
divisor) dividend
...
remainder

Now that these terms are defined, we begin the discussion of division of decimal
numbers.
Suppose that we wish to divide 637 by 100. We could do this in fraction
form, change the result to a mixed fraction, then the mixed fraction to decimal
form.
637 37
=6 = 6.37
100 100
We can also arrange the division much as we would the division of two whole
numbers.
6.37
100)637.00
600
37 0
30 0
7 00
7 00
0
Note that adding two zeros after the decimal point in the dividend does not
change the value of 637. Further, note that we proceed as if we are dividing
two whole numbers, placing the decimal point in the quotient directly above
the decimal point in the dividend.
These observations lead to the following algorithm.

Dividing a Decimal by a Whole Number. To divide a decimal number

by a whole number, proceed as follows:
1. Set up the long division as you would the division of two whole numbers.
2. Perform the division as if the numbers were both whole numbers, adding
zeros to the right of the decimal point in the dividend as necessary to
complete the division.
3. Place the decimal point in the quotient immediately above the decimal
point in the dividend.
5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 387

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 1. Divide 23 by 20.

Solution. Arrange as if using long division to divide whole numbers, adding
enough zeros to the right of the decimal point in the dividend to complete the
division.
1.15
20)23.00
20
30
20
1 00
1 00
0
Hence, 23 divided by 20 is 1.15.


Adding Zeros to the Right of the Decimal Point. Usually, one does
not immediately see how many zeros to the right of the decimal point in the
dividend are needed. These zeros are usually added at each step of the division,
until the division is completed or the user is willing to terminate the process
and accept only an estimate of the quotient.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 2. Divide: 155.2 ÷ 25. Divide: 42.55 ÷ 23

Solution. Arrange as if using long division to divide whole numbers, and
begin.
6.2
25)155.2
150
52
50
2
We still have a nonzero remainder. Adding another zero does no good.
6.20
25)155.20
150
52
50
20
 388 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

However, if we add one more additional zero, the division completes with a
zero remainder.
6.208
25)155.200
150
52
50
200
200
0

Answer: 1.85 Thus, 155.2 divided by 25 is 6.208.



Decimal Divisors
When the divisor contains a decimal point, we have a little work to do before
we begin the division process. Suppose that we wish to divide 1.25 by 2.5. In
fraction form, we could start with
1.25
,
2.5
then clear the decimals from the denominator by multiplying both numerator
and denominator by 10. Note: Recall that multiplying by 10 moves the decimal
point one place to the right.
1.25 1.25 · 10
=
2.5 2.5 · 10
12.5
=
25
Thus, dividing 1.25 by 2.5 is equivalent to dividing 12.5 by 25. This we know
how to do.
0.5
25)12.5
12 5
0
Thus, 1.25 divided by 2.5 is 0.5.

Writing Mathematics. Never write .5. Always add the leading zero in the
ones place and write 0.5.

Instead of working in fraction form, we can take care of positioning the

decimal point in the long division framework. Start with:
5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 389

2.5)1.25
Move the decimal point in the divisor to the end of the divisor, then move the
decimal point in the dividend an equal number of places.

2.5 )1.2 5
Thus, the division becomes

25)12.5
and we proceed as above to find the quotient.
This discussion motivates the following algorithm.

Dividing by a Decimal Divisor. If the divisor contains a decimal, proceed

as follows:
1. Move the decimal to the end of the divisor.
2. Move the decimal in the dividend an equal number of places.

We can then complete the division using the rules for dividing a decimal by a
whole number.
You Try It!

EXAMPLE 3. Divide: 0.36)4.392 Divide: 0.45)36.99

Solution. Move the decimal in the divisor to the end of the divisor. Move the
decimal in the dividend an equal number of places (two places) to the right.

0.36 )4.39 2

Now we can follow the algorithm for dividing a decimal number by a whole
number.
12.2
36)439.2
36
79
72
72
72
0
 390 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Answer: 82.2 Thus, 4.392 divided by 0.36 is 12.2.



Dividing Signed Decimal Numbers

The rules governing division of signed decimal numbers are identical to the
rules governing division of integers.

Like Signs. The quotient of two decimal numbers with like signs is positive.
That is:
(+) (−)
=+ and =+
(+) (−)
Unlike Signs. The quotient of two decimal numbers with unlike signs is
negative. That is:
(+) (−)
=− and =−
(−) (+)

You Try It!

Divide: −0.0113 ÷ 0.05 EXAMPLE 4. Divide: −0.03 ÷ 0.024.

Solution. First, divide the magnitudes. Move the decimal in the divisor to
the end of the divisor. Move the decimal in the dividend an equal number of
places (three places) to the right. Note that this requires an extra trailing zero
in the dividend.

0.024 )0.030

Our problem then becomes:

24)30
We can now follow the algorithm for dividing a decimal number by a whole
number. Note that we have to add two trailing zeros in the dividend to complete
the division with a zero remainder.
1.25
24)30.00
24
60
48
1 20
1 20
0
5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 391

Finally, because the quotient of unlike signs is negative, −0.03 divided by 0.024
is −1.25. That is,
−0.03
= −1.25.
0.024
Answer: −0.226


Rounding
Sometimes an exact decimal representation of a fraction is not needed and is
an approximation is more than adequate.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 5. Convert 4/7 to a decimal. Round your answer to the nearest Convert 5/7 to a decimal.
hundredth. Round your answer to the
nearest hundredth.
Solution. We need to carry the division one place beyond the hundredths
place.

0.571
7)4.000
35
50
49
10
7
3

To round to the nearest hundredth, first identify the rounding and test digits.

Test digit

0.5 7 1

Rounding digit

Because the “test digit” is less 5, leave the rounding digit alone and truncate.
Therefore, correct to the nearest hundredth, 4/7 ≈ 0.57. Answer: 0.71

392 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Dividing by Powers of Ten

Recall:

101 = 10
102 = 10 · 10 = 100
103 = 10 · 10 · 10 = 1000

Powers of Ten. In the expression 10n , the exponent matches the number of
zeros in the answer. Hence, 10n will be a 1 followed by n zeros.

Thus, 104 = 10, 000, 105 = 100, 000, etc. The exponent tells us how many
zeros will follow the 1.
Let’s divide 123456.7 by 1000.

123.4567
1000)123456.7000
1000
2345
2000
3456
3000
456 7
400 0
56 70
50 00
6 700
6 000
7000
7000
0

Note the result: 123456.7 divided by 1000 is 123.4567. Dividing by 1000 moves
the decimal point 3 places to the left!

123456.7 ÷ 1000 = 123 456.7 = 123.4567

This discussion leads to the following result.

Dividing a Decimal by a Power of Ten. Dividing a decimal number by

10n will move the decimal point n places to the left.
5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 393

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 6. Simplify: 123456.7 ÷ 104 Simplify: 123456.7 ÷ 102

Solution.Dividing by 104 (or equivalently, 10,000) moves the decimal point

four places to the left. Thus, 123456.7 ÷ 104 = 12.34567. Answer: 1234.567


Order of Operations
We remind readers of the Rules Guiding Order of Operations.

Rules Guiding Order of Operations. When evaluating expressions, pro-

ceed in the following order.
1. Evaluate expressions contained in grouping symbols first. If grouping
symbols are nested, evaluate the expression in the innermost pair of
grouping symbols first.
2. Evaluate all exponents that appear in the expression.
3. Perform all multiplications and divisions in the order that they appear
in the expression, moving left to right.
4. Perform all additions and subtractions in the order that they appear in
the expression, moving left to right.

In addition, when fractions are present:

Fractional Expressions. If a fractional expression is present, simplify the

numerator and denominator separately, then divide.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 7. Evaluate ab/(c + d), given that a = 2.1, b = −3.4, c = −1.3, If a = −2.1, b = 1.7, c = 4,
and d = 1.1. and d = 0.05, evaluate:

Solution. Recall that it is good practice to prepare an expression for substi- a+b
tution by using parentheses. cd
      
ab/(c + d) = / +
 394 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Substitute the given values for a, b, c, and d, then use the Rules Guiding Order
of Operations to simplify the resulting expression.

ab/(c + d) = (2.1)(−3.4)/((−1.3) + (1.1)) 2.1, −3.4, −1.3, 1.1 for a, b, c, d.

= (2.1)(−3.4)/(−0.2) Parens: (−1.3) + (1.1) = −0.2.
= −7.14/(−0.2) Multiply: (2.1)(−3.4) = −7.14.
= 35.7 Divide: −7.14/(−0.2) = 35.7.

Answer: −2


You Try It!

If a = 0.5 and b = −0.125, EXAMPLE 8. Given a = 0.1 and b = −0.3, evaluate the expression
evaluate:
a + 2b
2a − b .
2a + b
a + 2b
Solution. Substitute the given values, then use the Rules Guiding Order of
Operations to simplify the resulting expression.

a + 2b (0.1) + 2(−0.3)
= 0.1 for a, −0.3 for b.
2a + b 2(0.1) + (−0.3)

Simplify the numerator, simplify the denominator, then divide.

0.1 + (−0.6)
= Numerator: 2(−0.3) = −0.6.
0.2 + (−0.3)
Denominator: 2(0.1) = 0.2.
−0.5
= Numerator: 0.1 + (−0.6) = −0.5.
−0.1 Denominator: 0.2 + (−0.3) = −0.1.
=5 Divide: −0.5/(−0.1) = 5.

Answer: 4.5

 5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 395

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-16, divide the numbers.

39 37.63
1. 9.
52 71
16 20.46
2. 10.
25 31
755.3 138
3. 11.
83 92
410.4 110
4. 12.
76 25
333 17
5. 13.
74 25
117 18
6. 14.
65 75
32.12 229.5
7. 15.
73 51
12.32 525.6
8. 16.
44 72

In Exercises 17-40, divide the decimals.

0.3478 2.958
17. 25.
0.47 0.51
0.4559 5.141
18. 26.
0.97 0.53
1.694 71.76
19. 27.
2.2 7.8
1.008 14.08
20. 28.
1.8 8.8
43.61 0.8649
21. 29.
4.9 0.93
22.78 0.3901
22. 30.
3.4 0.83
1.107 0.6958
23. 31.
0.41 0.71
2.465 0.1829
24. 32.
0.29 0.31
 396 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

1.248 6.278
33. 37.
0.52 8.6
6.375 3.185
34. 38.
0.85 4.9
62.56 2.698
35. 39.
9.2 7.1
28.08 4.959
36. 40.
7.8 8.7

In Exercises 41-64, divide the decimals.

−11.04 −2.088
41. 53.
1.6 −0.87
−31.27 −2.025
42. 54.
5.3 −0.75
−3.024 −1.634
43. 55.
5.6 −8.6
−3.498 −3.094
44. 56.
5.3 3.4
−0.1056 −0.119
45. 57.
0.22 0.85
−0.2952 0.5766
46. 58.
−0.72 −0.62
0.3204 −3.591
47. 59.
−0.89 −6.3
0.3306 −3.016
48. 60.
−0.38 5.8
−1.419 36.96
49. 61.
0.43 −4.4
−1.625 −78.26
50. 62.
−0.25 −8.6
−16.72 −2.156
51. 63.
−2.2 −0.98
−66.24 −6.072
52. 64.
9.2 0.66

In Exercises 65-76, divide the decimal by the given power of 10.

524.35 849.39
65. 66.
100 100
 5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 397

563.94 578.68
67. 72.
103 100
884.15 341.16
68. 73.
103 103
116.81 46.63
69. 74.
102 104
578.01 113.02
70. 75.
103 1000
694.55 520.77
71. 76.
10 1000

77. Compute the quotient 52/83, and round 83. Compute the quotient 5/94, and round
your answer to the nearest tenth. your answer to the nearest hundredth.
78. Compute the quotient 43/82, and round 84. Compute the quotient 3/75, and round
your answer to the nearest tenth. your answer to the nearest hundredth.
79. Compute the quotient 51/59, and round 85. Compute the quotient 7/72, and round
your answer to the nearest tenth. your answer to the nearest hundredth.
80. Compute the quotient 17/69, and round 86. Compute the quotient 4/57, and round
your answer to the nearest tenth. your answer to the nearest hundredth.
81. Compute the quotient 5/74, and round 87. Compute the quotient 16/86, and round
your answer to the nearest hundredth. your answer to the nearest tenth.
82. Compute the quotient 3/41, and round 88. Compute the quotient 21/38, and round
your answer to the nearest hundredth. your answer to the nearest tenth.

In Exercises 89-100, simplify the given expression.

7.5 · 7.1 − 19.5 −12.9 − (−10.98)

89. 95.
0.54 0.52
1.5(−8.8) − (−18.6) 5.1 − (−16.5)
90. 96.
1.8 (−1.5)2
17.76 − (−11.7) −9.5 · 1.6 − 3.7
91. 97.
0.52 −3.6
−14.8 − 2.1 6.5(−1.6) − 3.35
92. 98.
2.62 −2.75
−18.22 − 6.7 −14.98 − 9.6
93. 99.
14.75 − 7.75 17.99 − 19.99
1.4 − 13.25 −5.6 − 7.5
94. 100.
−6.84 − (−2.1) −5.05 − 1.5
 398 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

101. Given a = −2.21, c = 3.3, and d = 0.5, following expression:

evaluate and simplify the following ex-
pression. a−b
a−c c−d
d2
102. Given a = 2.8, c = −14.68, and d = 0.5, 105. Given a = −1.5, b = 4.7, c = 18.8, and
evaluate and simplify the following ex- d = −11.75, evaluate and simplify the fol-
pression. lowing expression.
a−c
d2 ab − c
103. Given a = −5.8, b = 10.37, c = 4.8, and d
d = 5.64, evaluate and simplify the fol-
lowing expression: 106. Given a = 9.3, b = 6.6, c = 14.27, and
a−b d = 0.2, evaluate and simplify the follow-
c−d ing expression.
104. Given a = −10.79, b = 3.94, c = −3.2, ab − c
and d = −8.11, evaluate and simplify the
d

107. Biodiesel plants. There are about 180 biodiesel plants operating in about 40 states. Of the
states that have them, what is the average number of biodiesel plants per state? Associated
Press-Times-Standard 01/02/10 Fledgling biofuel industry ends year on a dour note.

108. Bat fungus. A fungus called ”white-nose syndrome” has killed an estimated 500,000 bats
throughout the country. This means about 2,400,000 pounds of bugs aren’t eaten over the year,
says Forest Service biologist Becky Ewing. How many pounds of insects does an average bat eat
annually? Associated Press-Times-Standard 5/2/09

109. Patent backlog. In the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 6000 examiners have a backlog
of 770,000 new, unexamined applications for patents. How many applications is that for each
examiner to catch up on? Round your answer to the nearest tenth. Associated Press-Times-
Standard 5/5/09

110. Doing well. The large health insurer Wellpoint, Inc., owner of Anthem Blue Cross, earned $536
million in the last three months of 2009. What was the average earnings per month for the insurer
over that period? Round to the nearest million. Associated Press-Times-Standard 02/09/10 HHS
secretary asks Anthem Blue Cross to justify rate hike.

111. Cyber attacks. The Pentagon has spent $100 million over a six-month period responding to and
repairing damage from cyber-attacks and other computer network problems. What’s the average
amount of money spent per month over that time? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth
of a million. Associated Press-Times-Standard 4/19/09
 5.4. DIVIDING DECIMALS 399

112. Daily milk. The average California cow can produce 2,305 gallons of milk annually. How much
milk can a cow produce each day? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth of a gallon.
http://www.moomilk.com/faq.htm

113. Media mail. To promote her business, Theresa mails several packages via Media Mail. One
package weighing 2 lbs. costs $2.77, another package weighing 3 lbs. costs $3.16, and the third
package weighing 5 lbs. costs $3.94 to mail. What was the average cost per pound to mail
the packages? Round your result to the nearest penny. http://www.usps.com/prices/media-mail-
prices.htm

l l l Answers l l l

1. 0.75 33. 2.4

3. 9.1 35. 6.8

37. 0.73
5. 4.5
39. 0.38
7. 0.44
41. −6.9
9. 0.53
43. −0.54
11. 1.5
45. −0.48
13. 0.68 47. −0.36
15. 4.5 49. −3.3

17. 0.74 51. 7.6

19. 0.77 53. 2.4

55. 0.19
21. 8.9
57. −0.14
23. 2.7
59. 0.57
25. 5.8
61. −8.4
27. 9.2
63. 2.2
29. 0.93 65. 5.2435

31. 0.98 67. 0.56394

 400 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

69. 1.1681 93. −3.56

71. 69.455 95. −7.68

73. 0.34116 97. 5.25

75. 0.11302
99. 12.29
77. 0.6
101. −22.04
79. 0.9
103. 19.25
81. 0.07
105. 2.2
83. 0.05
107. 4.5 biodiesel plants
85. 0.10

87. 0.2 109. 128.3

89. 62.5 111. $16.67 million

91. 117.84 113. $0.99 per pound

5.5. FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 401

5.5 Fractions and Decimals

When converting a fraction to a decimal, only one of two things can happen.
Either the process will terminate or the decimal representation will begin to
repeat a pattern of digits. In each case, the procedure for changing a fraction
to a decimal is the same.

Changing a Fraction to a Decimal. To change a fraction to a decimal,

divide the numerator by the denominator. Hint: If you first reduce the fraction
to lowest terms, the numbers will be smaller and the division will be a bit easier
as a result.

Terminating Decimals

Terminating Decimals. First reduce the fraction to lowest terms. If the

denominator of the resulting fraction has a prime factorization consisting of
strictly twos and/or fives, then the decimal representation will “terminate.”

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 1. Change 15/48 to a decimal. Change 10/16 to a decimal.

Solution. First, reduce the fraction to lowest terms.
15 3·5
=
48 3 · 16
5
=
16
Next, note that the denominator of 5/16 has prime factorization 16 = 2 · 2 · 2 · 2.
It consists only of twos. Hence, the decimal representation of 5/16 should
terminate.
0.3125
16)5.0000
48
20
16
40
32
80
80
0

The zero remainder terminates the process. Hence, 5/16 = 0.3125. Answer: 0.625

 402 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

11 7
Change 7 20 to a decimal. EXAMPLE 2. Change 3 20 to a decimal.
Solution. Note that 7/20 is reduced to lowest terms and its denominator has
prime factorization 20 = 2 · 2 · 5. It consists only of twos and fives. Hence, the
decimal representation of 7/20 should terminate.

0.35
20)7.00
60
1 00
1 00
0

The zero remainder terminates the process. Hence, 7/20 = 0.35. Therefore,
7
Answer: 7.55 3 20 = 3.35.


Repeating Decimals

Repeating Decimals. First reduce the fraction to lowest terms. If the prime
factorization of the resulting denominator does not consist strictly of twos and
fives, then the division process will never have a remainder of zero. However,
repeated patterns of digits must eventually reveal themselves.

You Try It!

Change 5/12 to a decimal. EXAMPLE 3. Change 1/12 to a decimal.

Solution. Note that 1/12 is reduced to lowest terms and the denominator has
a prime factorization 12 = 2 · 2 · 3 that does not consist strictly of twos and
fives. Hence, the decimal representation of 1/12 will not “terminate.” We need
to carry out the division until a remainder reappears for a second time. This
will indicate repetition is beginning.

.083
12)1.000
96
40
36
4
5.5. FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 403

Note the second appearance of 4 as a remainder in the division above. This is

an indication that repetition is beginning. However, to be sure, let’s carry the
division out for a couple more places.

.08333
12)1.00000
96
40
36
40
36
40
36
4

Note how the remainder 4 repeats over and over. In the quotient, note how
the digit 3 repeats over and over. It is pretty evident that if we were to carry
out the division a few more places, we would get

1
= 0.833333 . . .
12
The ellipsis is a symbolic way of saying that the threes will repeat forever. It
is the mathematical equivalent of the word “etcetera.” Answer: 0.41666 . . .


There is an alternative notation to the ellipsis, namely

1
= 0.083.
12
The bar over the 3 (called a “repeating bar”) indicates that the 3 will repeat
indefinitely. That is,
0.083 = 0.083333 . . . .

Using the Repeating Bar. To use the repeating bar notation, take whatever
block of digits are under the repeating bar and duplicate that block of digits
infinitely to the right.

Thus, for example:

• 5.345 = 5.3454545 . . . .

• 0.142857 = 0.142857142857142857 . . ..
 404 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Important Observation. Although 0.833 will also produce 0.8333333 . . ., as

a rule we should use as few digits as possible under the repeating bar. Thus,
0.83 is preferred over 0.833.

You Try It!

Change 5/33 to a decimal. EXAMPLE 4. Change 23/111 to a decimal.

Solution. The denominator of 23/111 has prime factorization 111 = 3 · 37 and
does not consist strictly of twos and fives. Hence, the decimal representation
will not “terminate.” We need to perform the division until we spot a repeated
remainder.

0.207
111)23.000
22 2
800
777
23

Note the return of 23 as a remainder. Thus, the digit pattern in the quotient
should start anew, but let’s add a few places more to our division to be sure.
0.207207
111)23.000000
22 2
800
777
230
222
800
777
23
Aha! Again a remainder of 23. Repetition! At this point, we are confident
that
23
= 0.207207 . . . .
111
Using a “repeating bar,” this result can be written
23
= 0.207.
111
Answer: 0.151515 . . .

5.5. FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 405

Expressions Containing Both Decimals and Fractions

At this point we can convert fractions to decimals, and vice-versa, we can con-
vert decimals to fractions. Therefore, we should be able to evaluate expressions
that contain a mix of fraction and decimal numbers.
You Try It!
3 7
EXAMPLE 5. Simplify: − − 1.25. Simplify: − − 6.5
8 8
Solution. Let’s change 1.25 to an improper fraction.
125
1.25 = Two decimal places =⇒ two zeros.
100
5
= Reduce to lowest terms.
4
In the original problem, replace 1.25 with 5/4, make equivalent fractions with
a common denominator, then subtract.
3 3 5
− − 1.25 = − − Replace 1.25 with 5/4.
8 8 4
3 5·2
=− − Equivalent fractions, LCD = 8.
8 4·2
3 10
=− − Simplify numerator and denominator.
8 8 
3 10
=− + − Add the opposite.
8 8
13
=− Add.
8
Thus, −3/8 − 1.25 = −13/8.
Alternate Solution. Because −3/8 is reduced to lowest terms and 8 = 2 · 2 · 2
consists only of twos, the decimal representation of −3/8 will terminate.
0.375
8)3.000
24
60
56
40
40
Hence, −3/8 = −0.375. Now, replace −3/8 in the original problem with
−0.375, then simplify.
3
− − 1.25 = −0.375 − 1.25 Replace −3/8 with −0.375.
8
= −0.375 + (−1.25) Add the opposite.
= −1.625 Add.
 406 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Thus, −3/8 − 1.25 = −1.625.

Are They the Same? The first method produced −13/8 as an answer; the
second method produced −1.625. Are these the same results? One way to find
out is to change −1.625 to an improper fraction.
1625
−1.625 = − Three places =⇒ three zeros.
1000
5 · 5 · 5 · 5 · 13
=− Prime factor.
2·2·2·5·5·5
13
=− Cancel common factors.
2·2·2
13
=− Simplify.
8
Answer: −7 83 or −7.375 Thus, the two answers are the same.


Let’s look at another example.

You Try It!

4 2
Simplify: − + 0.25 EXAMPLE 6. Simplify: − + 0.35.
9 3
Solution. Let’s attack this expression by first changing 0.35 to a fraction.
2 2 35
− + 0.35 = − + Change 0.35 to a fraction.
3 3 100
2 7
=− + Reduce 35/100 to lowest terms.
3 20
Find an LCD, make equivalent fractions, then add.
2 · 20 7·3
=− + Equivalent fractions with LCD = 60.
3 · 20 20 · 3
40 21
=− + Simplify numerators and denominators.
60 60
19
=− Add.
60
2 19
Answer: −7/36 Thus, − + 0.35 = − .
3 60


In Example 6, we run into trouble if we try to change −2/3 to a decimal.

The decimal representation for −2/3 is a repeating decimal (the denominator
is not made up of only twos and fives). Indeed, −2/3 = −0.6. To add −0.6
and 0.35, we have to align the decimal points, then begin adding at the right
end. But −0.6 has no right end! This observation leads to the following piece
of advice.
5.5. FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 407

Important Observation. When presented with a problem containing both

decimals and fractions, if the decimal representation of any fraction repeats,
its best to first change all numbers to fractions, then simplify.
 408 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-20, convert the given fraction to a terminating decimal.

59 119
1. 11.
16 175
19 4
2. 12.
5 8
35 9
3. 13.
4 8
21 5
4. 14.
4 2
1 78
5. 15.
16 240
14 150
6. 16.
5 96
6 25
7. 17.
8 10
7 2
8. 18.
175 4
3 9
9. 19.
2 24
15 216
10. 20.
16 150

In Exercises 21-44, convert the given fraction to a repeating decimal. Use the “repeating bar” notation.

256 76
21. 27.
180 15
268 23
22. 28.
180 9
364 50
23. 29.
12 99
292 53
24. 30.
36 99
81 61
25. 31.
110 15
82 37
26. 32.
99 18
 5.5. FRACTIONS AND DECIMALS 409

98 532
33. 39.
66 21
305 44
34. 40.
330 60
190 26
35. 41.
495 198
102 686
36. 42.
396 231
13 47
37. 43.
15 66
65 41
38. 44.
36 198

In Exercises 45-52, simplify the given expression by first converting the fraction into a terminating
decimal.

7 9
45. − 7.4 49. − 8.61
4 10
3 3
46. − 2.73 50. + 3.7
2 4
7 6
47. + 5.31 51. − 7.65
5 5
7 3
48. − + 3.3 52. − + 8.1
4 10

In Exercises 53-60, simplify the given expression by first converting the decimal into a fraction.

7 2
53. − 2.9 57. − + 0.9
6 3
11 2
54. − + 1.12 58. − 0.1
6 3
4 4
55. − − 0.32 59. − 2.6
3 3
11 5
56. − 0.375 60. − + 2.3
6 6
 410 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

In Exercises 61-64, simplify the given expression.

5 7
61. + 2.375 65. − + 1.2
6 10
5 7
62. + 0.55 66. − − 3.34
3 5
11 11
63. + 8.2 67. − + 0.375
8 6
13 5
64. + 8.4 68. − 1.1
8 3

l l l Answers l l l

1. 3.6875 37. 0.86

3. 8.75 39. 25.3

5. 0.0625 41. 0.13

7. 0.75 43. 0.712

9. 1.5 45. −5.65

11. 0.68 47. 6.71

13. 1.125 49. −7.71

15. 0.325 51. −6.45

26
17. 2.5 53. −
15
19. 0.375 124
55. −
75
21. 1.42
7
23. 30.3 57.
30
25. 0.736 19
59. −
15
27. 5.06
77
61.
29. 0.50 24

31. 4.06 63. 9.575

65. 0.5
33. 1.48
35
35. 0.38 67. −
24
5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 411

5.6 Equations With Decimals

We can add or subtract the same decimal number from both sides of an equation
without affecting the solution.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 1. Solve for x: x − 1.35 = −2.6. Solve for x:

Solution. To undo subtracting 1.35, add 1.35 to both sides of the equation.
x + 1.25 = 0.6
x − 1.35 = −2.6 Original equation.
x − 1.35 + 1.35 = −2.6 + 1.35 Add 1.35 to both sides.
x = −1.25 Simplify: −2.6 + 1.35 = −1.25.
Answer: −0.65


We can still multiply both sides of an equation by the same decimal number
without affecting the solution.

You Try It!

x
EXAMPLE 2. Solve for x: = 4.2. Solve for y:
−0.35
Solution. To undo dividing by −0.35, multiply both sides of the equation by y
−0.35. = −1.52
0.37
x
= 4.2 Original equation.
−0.35
 
x
−0.35 = −0.35 (4.2) Multiply both sides by −0.35.
−0.35
x = −1.470 Simplify: −0.35(4.2) = −1.470.
Answer: −0.5624


We can still divide both sides of an equation by the same decimal number
without affecting the solution.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 3. Solve for x: −1.2x = −4.08. Solve for z:

Solution. To undo multiplying by −1.2, divide both sides of the equation by −2.5z = 1.4
−1.2.
−1.2x = −4.08 Original equation.
−1.2x −4.08
= Divide both sides by −1.2.
−1.2 −1.2
x = 3.4 Simplify: −4.08/(−1.2) = 3.4.
Answer: −0.56

 412 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Combining Operations
We sometimes need to combine operations.

You Try It!

Solve for u: EXAMPLE 4. Solve for x: −3.8x − 1.7 = −17.28.

Solution. To undo subtracting 1.7, add 1.7 to both sides of the equation.
−0.02u − 3.2 = −1.75
−3.8x − 1.7 = −17.28 Original equation.
−3.8x − 1.7 + 1.7 = −17.28 + 1.7 Add 1.7 to both sides
−3.8x = −15.58 Simplify: −17.28 + 1.7 = −15.58.

Next, to undo multiplying by −3.8, divide both sides of the equation by −3.8.

−3.8x −15.58
= Divide both sides by −3.8.
−3.8 −3.8
x = 4.1 Simplify: −15.58/(−3.8) = 4.1.
Answer: −72.5


Combining Like Terms

Combining like terms with decimal coefficients is done in the same manner as
combining like terms with integer coefficients.

You Try It!

Simplify: EXAMPLE 5. Simplify the expression: −3.2x + 1.16x.

Solution. To combine these like terms we must add the coefficients.
−1.185t + 3.2t
To add coefficients with unlike Prefix the sign of the decimal num-
signs, first subtract the coefficient ber having the larger magnitude.
with the smaller magnitude from Hence:
the coefficient with the larger mag-
nitude. −3.2 + 1.16 = −2.04.
3.20
− 1.16
2.04
We can now combine like terms as follows:
−3.2x + 1.16x = −2.04x
Answer: 2.015t

5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 413

When solving equations, we sometimes need to combine like terms.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 6. Solve the equation for x: 4.2 − 3.1x + 2x = −7.02. Solve for r:
Solution. Combine like terms on the left-hand side of the equation. −4.2 + 3.6r − 4.1r = 1.86

4.2 − 3.1x + 2x = −7.02 Original equation.

4.2 − 1.1x = −7.02 Combine like terms: −3.1x + 2x = −1.1x.
4.2 − 1.1x − 4.2 = −7.02 − 4.2 Subtract 4.2 from both sides.
−1.1x = −11.02 Subtract: −7.02 − 4.2 = −11.22.
−1.1x −11.22
= Divide both sides by −1.1.
−1.1 −1.1
x = 10.2 Divide: −11.22/(−1.1) = 10.2.

Thus, the solution of the equation is 10.2.

Check. Like all equations, we can check our solution by substituting our
answer in the original equation.

4.2 − 3.1x + 2x = −7.02 Original equation.

4.2 − 3.1(10.2) + 2(10.2) = −7.02 Substitute 10.2 for x.
4.2 − 31.62 + 20.4 = −7.02 Multiply: 3.1(10.2) = 31.62, 2(10.2) = 20.4.
−27.42 + 20.4 = −7.02 Order of Ops: Add, left to right.
4.2 − 31.62 = −27.42.
−7.02 = −7.02 Add: −27.42 + 20.4 = −7.02.

Because the last line is a true statement, the solution x = 10.2 checks. Answer: −12.12


Using the Distributive Property

Sometimes we will need to employ the distributive property when solving equa-
tions.

Distributive Property. Let a, b, and c be any numbers. Then,

a(b + c) = ab + ac.
 414 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Solve for x: EXAMPLE 7. Solve the equation for x: −6.3x − 0.4(x − 1.2) = −0.86.

−2.5x − 0.1(x − 2.3) = 8.03 Solution. We first distribute the −0.4 times each term in the parentheses,
then combine like terms.

−6.3x − 0.4(x − 1.2) = −0.86 Original equation.

−6.3x − 0.4x + 0.48 = −0.86 Distribute. Note that −0.4(−1.2) = 0.48.
−6.7x + 0.48 = −0.86 Combine like terms.

Next, subtract 0.48 from both sides, then divide both sides of the resulting
equation by −6.7.

−6.7x + 0.48 − 0.48 = −0.86 − 0.48 Subtract 0.48 from both sides.
−6.7x = −1.34 Simplify: −0.86 − 0.48 = −1.34.
−6.7x −1.34
= Divide both sides by −6.7.
−6.7 −6.7
x = 0.2 Simplify: −1.34/(−6.7) = 0.2.

Answer: −3


Rounding Solutions
Sometimes an approximate solution is adequate.

You Try It!

Solve for x: EXAMPLE 8. Solve the equation 3.1x + 4.6 = 2.5 − 2.2x for x. Round the
answer to the nearest tenth.
4.2x − 1.25 = 3.4 + 0.71x
Solution. We need to isolate the terms containing x on one side of the equa-
tion. We begin by adding 2.2x to both sides of the equation.

3.1x + 4.6 = 2.5 − 2.2x Original equation.

3.1x + 4.6 + 2.2x = 2.5 − 2.2x + 2.2x Add 2.2x to both sides.
5.3x + 4.6 = 2.5 Combine terms: 3.1x + 2.2x = 5.3x.

To undo adding 4.6, subtract 4.6 from both sides of the equation.

5.3x + 4.6 − 4.6 = 2.5 − 4.6 Subtract 4.6 from both sides.
5.3x = −2.1 Simplify: 2.5 − 4.6 = −2.1.
5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 415

To undo the effect of multiplying by 5.3, divide both sides of the equation by
5.3.

5.3x −2.1
= Divide both sides by 5.3.
5.3 5.3
x ≈ −0.4 Round solution to nearest tenth.

To round the answer to the near- Because the “test digit” is greater
est tenth, we must carry the divi- than or equal to 5, add 1 to the
sion out one additional place. rounding digit and truncate.
0.39 Test digit
53)21.00
15 9 −0. 3 9
5 10
4 77 Rounding digit
33
Thus, −0.39 ≈ −0.4.
Thus, −2.1/5.3 ≈ −0.39.
Answer: 1.33


Applications
Let’s look at some applications that involve equations containing decimals. For
convenience, we repeat the Requirements for Word Problem Solutions.

Requirements for Word Problem Solutions.

1. Set up a Variable Dictionary. You must let your readers know what
each variable in your problem represents. This can be accomplished in a
number of ways:
• Statements such as “Let P represent the perimeter of the rectangle.”
• Labeling unknown values with variables in a table.
• Labeling unknown quantities in a sketch or diagram.
2. Set up an Equation. Every solution to a word problem must include a
carefully crafted equation that accurately describes the constraints in the
problem statement.
3. Solve the Equation. You must always solve the equation set up in the
previous step.
 416 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

4. Answer the Question. This step is easily overlooked. For example, the
problem might ask for Jane’s age, but your equation’s solution gives the
age of Jane’s sister Liz. Make sure you answer the original question
asked in the problem. Your solution should be written in a sentence with
appropriate units.
5. Look Back. It is important to note that this step does not imply that
you should simply check your solution in your equation. After all, it’s
possible that your equation incorrectly models the problem’s situation, so
you could have a valid solution to an incorrect equation. The important
question is: “Does your answer make sense based on the words in the
original problem statement.”

Let’s start with a rectangular garden problem.

You Try It!

Eta’s dog run is in the shape EXAMPLE 9. Molly needs to create a rectangular garden plot covering 200
of a rectangle with area 500 square meters (200 m2 ). If the width of the plot is 8.9 meters, find the length
square feet. If the length of of the plot correct to the nearest tenth of a meter.
the run is 28 feet, find the
width of the run, correct to Solution. We will follow the Requirements for Word Problem Solutions.
the nearest tenth of a foot.
1. Set up a Variable Dictionary. We will use a sketch to define our variables.

A = 200 m2 8.9 m

Note that L represents the length of the rectangle.

2. Set Up an Equation. The area A of a rectangle is given by the formula

A = LW,

where L and W represent the length and width of the rectangle, respec-
tively. Substitute 200 for A and 8.9 for W in the formula to obtain

200 = L(8.9),

or equivalently,
200 = 8.9L.
5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 417

3. Solve the Equation. Divide both sides of the last equation by 8.9, then
round your answer to the nearest tenth.
200 8.9L
= Divide both sides by 8.9.
8.9 8.9
22.5 ≈ L Round to nearest tenth.

To round the answer to the Because the “test digit” is greater

nearest tenth, we must carry than or equal to 5, add 1 to the
the division out one additional rounding digit and truncate.
place.
Test digit
22.47
89)2000.00 22. 4 7
178
220 Rounding digit
178
42 0 Thus, 200/8.9 ≈ 22.5.
35 6
6 40
6 23
0

4. Answer the Question. To the nearest tenth of a meter, the length of the
rectangular plot is L ≈ 22.5 meters.
5. Look Back. We have L ≈ 22.5 meters and W = 8.9 meters. Multiply
length and width to find the area.

Area ≈ (22.5 m)(8.9 m) ≈ 200.25 m2 .

Note that this is very nearly the exact area of 200 square meters. The
discrepancy is due to the fact that we found the length rounded to the
nearest tenth of a meter.
Answer: 17.9 feet


You Try It!

EXAMPLE 10. Children’s tickets to the circus go on sale for $6.75. The Adult tickets to the circus
Boys and Girls club of Eureka has $1,000 set aside to purchase these tickets. cost $12.25 apiece. If the
Approximately how many tickets can the Girls and Boys club purchase? club has $1,200 set aside for
adult ticket purchase, how
Solution. We will follow the Requirements for Word Problem Solutions.
many adult tickets can they
1. Set up a Variable Dictionary. Let N represent the number of tickets purchase?
purchased by the Boys and Girls club of Eureka.
 418 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

2. Set Up an Equation. Note that

Price Number Full

per times of is Purchase
Ticket Tickets Price
6.75 · N = 1,000

Hence, our equation is

6.75N = 1000.

3. Solve the Equation. Divide both sides of the equation by 6.75.

6.75N 1000
= Divide both sides by 6.75.
6.75 6.75
N ≈ 148 Truncate to nearest unit.

Push the decimal point to the We’ll stop the division at the units
right-end of the divisor and the position.
decimal point in the dividend an
equal number of places. 148
675)100000
675
6.75 )1000.00 3250
2700
5500
5400
100

4. Answer the Question. The Boys and Girls club can purchase 148 tickets.
5. Look Back. Let’s calculate the cost of 148 tickets at $6.75 apiece.

1 48
× 6.75
7 40
103 6
888
999.00

Thus, at $6.75 apiece, 148 tickets will cost $999. Because the Boys and
Girls club of Eureka has $1,000 to work with, note that the club doesn’t
have enough money left for another ticket.
Answer: 97

5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 419

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 11. Marta has 20 feet of decorative fencing which she will use Dylan has a circular dog pen
for the border of a small circular garden. Find the diameter of the circular with circumference 100 feet.
garden, correct to the nearest hundredth of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14. Find the radius of the pen,
correct to the nearest tenth
Solution. The formula governing the relation between the circumference and
of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14
diameter of a circle is
C = πd.
The 20 feet of decorative fencing will be the circumference of the circular gar-
den. Substitute 20 for C and 3.14 for π.

20 = 3.14d

Divide both sides of the equation by 3.14.

20 3.14d
=
3.14 3.14
20
=d
3.14

Move the decimal point to the end of the divisor, then move the decimal point
in the dividend an equal number of places (two places) to the right. Note that
we must add two trailing zeros in the dividend.

3.14 )20.00

Thus, the problem becomes:

314)2000

We need to round to the nearest hundredth. This requires that we carry the
division one additional place to the right of the hundredths place (i.e., to the
thousandths place).

6.369
314)2000.000
1884
116 0
94 2
21 80
18 84
2 960
2 826
134
 420 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

For the final step, we must round 6.369 to the nearest hundredth. In the
schematic that follows, we’ve boxed the hundredths digit (the “rounding digit”)
and the “test digit” that follows the “rounding digit.”

Test digit

6.3 6 9

Rounding digit

Because the “test digit” is greater than or equal to 5, we add 1 to the “round-
ing digit,” then truncate. Therefore, to the nearest hundredth of a foot, the
diameter of the circle is approximately

d ≈ 6.37 ft.

Answer: 15.9 feet


 5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 421

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-16, solve the equation.

1. 5.57x − 2.45x = 5.46 9. −10.3x + 82.4 = 0

2. −0.3x − 6.5x = 3.4 10. −1.33x − 45.22 = 0
3. −5.8x + 0.32 + 0.2x = −6.96 11. −12.5x + 13.5 = 0
4. −2.2x − 0.8 − 7.8x = −3.3 12. 44.15x − 8.83 = 0
5. −4.9x + 88.2 = 24.5 13. 7.3x − 8.9 − 8.34x = 2.8
6. −0.2x − 32.71 = 57.61 14. 0.9x + 4.5 − 0.5x = 3.5
7. 0.35x − 63.58 = 55.14 15. −0.2x + 2.2x = 6.8
8. −0.2x − 67.3 = 93.5 16. −7.9x + 2.9x = 8.6

In Exercises 17-34, solve the equation.

17. 6.24x − 5.2 = 5.2x 26. −8.6x − 2.62 = −7.1x + 8.54

18. −0.6x + 6.3 = 1.5x 27. −1.7x = −0.2x − 0.6
19. −0.7x − 2.4 = −3.7x − 8.91 28. 3.89x = −5.11x + 5.4
20. 3.4x − 4.89 = 2.9x + 3.6 29. −1.02x + 7.08 = −2.79x
21. −4.9x = −5.4x + 8.4 30. 1.5x − 2.4 = 0.3x
22. 2.5x = 4.5x + 5.8 31. −4.75x − 6.77 = −7.45x + 3.49
23. −2.8x = −2.3x − 6.5 32. −1.2x − 2.8 = −0.7x − 5.6
24. 1.2x = 0.35x − 1.36 33. −4.06x − 7.38 = 4.94x
25. −2.97x − 2.6 = −3.47x + 7.47 34. −4.22x + 7.8 = −6.3x

In Exercises 35-52, solve the equation.

35. 2.3 + 0.1(x + 2.9) = 6.9 40. −2.8x + 5.08(x − 4.84) = 19.85
36. −6.37 + 6.3(x + 4.9) = −1.33 41. 2.4(0.3x + 3.2) = −11.4
37. 0.5(1.5x − 6.58) = 6.88 42. −0.7(0.2x + 5.48) = 16.45
38. 0.5(−2.5x − 4.7) = 16.9 43. −0.8(0.3x + 0.4) = −11.3
39. −6.3x − 0.4(x − 1.8) = −16.03 44. 7.5(4.4x + 7.88) = 17.19
 422 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

45. −7.57 − 2.42(x + 5.54) = 6.95 49. 4.3x − 0.7(x + 2.1) = 8.61
46. 5.9 − 0.5(x + 5.8) = 12.15 50. 1.5x − 4.5(x + 4.92) = 15.6
47. −1.7 − 5.56(x + 6.1) = 12.2 51. −4.8x + 3.3(x − 0.4) = −7.05
48. −7.93 + 0.01(x + 7.9) = 14.2 52. −1.1x + 1.3(x + 1.3) = 19.88

In Exercises 53-58, solve the equation.

53. 0.9(6.2x − 5.9) = 3.4(3.7x + 4.3) − 1.8 56. −3.3(−6.3x + 4.2) − 5.3 = 1.7(6.2x + 3.2)
54. 0.4(−4.6x+ 4.7) = −1.6(−2.2x+ 6.9)− 4.5 57. 0.9(0.4x + 2.5) − 2.5 = −1.9(0.8x + 3.1)
55. −1.8(−1.6x + 1.7) = −1.8(−3.6x − 4.1) 58. 5.5(6.7x + 7.3) = −5.5(−4.2x + 2.2)

59. Stacy runs a business out of her home ble cloth she makes, she incurs an addi-
making bird houses. Each month she has tional cost of $2.75. If her total costs for
fixed costs of $200. In addition, for each the month were $221.00, how many table
bird house she makes, she incurs an addi- cloths did she make?
tional cost of $3.00. If her total costs for
the month were $296.00, how many bird 64. Stella runs a business out of her home
houses did she make? making quilts. Each month she has fixed
costs of $200. In addition, for each quilt
60. Stella runs a business out of her home she makes, she incurs an additional cost
making curtains. Each month she has of $1.75. If her total costs for the month
fixed costs of $175. In addition, for each were $280.50, how many quilts did she
curtain she makes, she incurs an addi- make?
tional cost of $2.75. If her total costs for
the month were $274.00, how many cur- 65. Marta has 60 feet of decorative fencing
tains did she make? which she will use for the border of a
small circular garden. Find the diameter
61. A stationary store has staplers on sale for
of the circular garden, correct to the near-
$1.50 apiece. A business purchases an un-
est hundredth of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14.
known number of these and the total cost
of their purchase is $36.00. How many 66. Trinity has 44 feet of decorative fencing
were purchased? which she will use for the border of a
62. A stationary store has CD packs on sale small circular garden. Find the diameter
for $2.50 apiece. A business purchases of the circular garden, correct to the near-
an unknown number of these and the to- est hundredth of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14.
tal cost of their purchase is $40.00. How
67. Children’s tickets to the ice capades go on
many were purchased?
sale for $4.25. The YMCA of Sacramento
63. Julie runs a business out of her home mak- has $1,000 set aside to purchase these tick-
ing table cloths. Each month she has fixed ets. Approximately how many tickets can
costs of $100. In addition, for each ta- the YMCA of Sacramento purchase?
 5.6. EQUATIONS WITH DECIMALS 423

68. Children’s tickets to the ice capades go on find the length of the plot correct to the
sale for $5. The Knights of Columbus has nearest tenth of a meter.
$1,200 set aside to purchase these tickets.
74. Marianne needs to create a rectangular
Approximately how many tickets can the
garden plot covering 223 square meters
Knights of Columbus purchase?
(223 m2 ). If the width of the plot is 8.3
69. A stationary store has mechanical pencils meters, find the length of the plot correct
on sale for $2.25 apiece. A business pur- to the nearest tenth of a meter.
chases an unknown number of these and
75. Children’s tickets to the stock car races
the total cost of their purchase is $65.25.
go on sale for $4.5. The Boys and Girls
How many were purchased?
club of Eureka has $1,300 set aside to pur-
70. A stationary store has engineering tem- chase these tickets. Approximately how
plates on sale for $2.50 apiece. A business many tickets can the Boys and Girls club
purchases an unknown number of these of Eureka purchase?
and the total cost of their purchase is
76. Children’s tickets to the movies go on sale
$60.00. How many were purchased?
for $4.75. The Lions club of Alameda has
71. Marta has 61 feet of decorative fencing $800 set aside to purchase these tickets.
which she will use for the border of a Approximately how many tickets can the
small circular garden. Find the diameter Lions club of Alameda purchase?
of the circular garden, correct to the near-
77. Ashley needs to create a rectangular gar-
est hundredth of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14.
den plot covering 115 square meters (115
72. Kathy has 86 feet of decorative fencing m2 ). If the width of the plot is 6.8 meters,
which she will use for the border of a find the length of the plot correct to the
small circular garden. Find the diameter nearest tenth of a meter.
of the circular garden, correct to the near-
78. Molly needs to create a rectangular gar-
est hundredth of a foot. Use π ≈ 3.14.
den plot covering 268 square meters (268
73. Kathy needs to create a rectangular gar- m2 ). If the width of the plot is 6.1 meters,
den plot covering 100 square meters (100 find the length of the plot correct to the
m2 ). If the width of the plot is 7.5 meters, nearest tenth of a meter.

79. Crude Inventory. US commercial crude oil inventories decreased by 3.8 million barrels in the
week ending June 19. If there were 353.9 million barrels the following week, what were crude oil
inventories before the decline? rttnews.com 06/24/09

80. Undocumented. In 2008, California had 2.7 million undocumented residents. This is double
the number in 1990. How many undocumented residents were in California in 1990? Associated Press
Times-Standard 4/15/09

81. Diamonds Shining. The index of refraction n indicates the number of times slower that a light
wave travels in a particular medium than it travels in a vacuum. A diamond has an index of refraction
of 2.4. This is about one and one-quarter times greater than the index of refraction of a zircon. What
is the index of refraction of a zircon? Round your result to the nearest tenth.
 424 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

l l l Answers l l l

1. 1.75 43. 45.75

3. 1.3 45. −11.54

5. 13 47. −8.6

7. 339.2 49. 2.8

9. 8 51. 3.82
11. 1.08
53. −2.59
13. −11.25
55. −2.9
15. 3.4
57. −3
17. 5
59. 32
19. −2.17
61. 24
21. 16.8
63. 44
23. 13
65. 19.11 feet
25. 20.14
67. 235 tickets
27. 0.4
69. 29
29. −4
71. 19.43 feet
31. 3.8

33. −0.82 73. 13.3 meters

35. 43.1 75. 288 tickets

37. 13.56 77. 16.9 meters

39. 2.5 79. 357.7 million barrels

41. −26.5 81. 1.9

5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 425

5.7 Introduction to Square Roots List of Squares

x x2
Recall that 0 0
x2 = x · x. 1 1
2 4
3 9
The Square of a Number. The number x2 is called the square of the number 4 16
x. 5 25
6 36
Thus, for example: 7 49
8 64
• 92 = 9 · 9 = 81. Therefore, the number 81 is the square of the number 9. 9 81
10 100
• (−4)2 = (−4)(−4) = 16. Therefore, the number 16 is the square of the 11 121
number −4. 12 144
In the margin, we’ve placed a “List of Squares” of the whole numbers ranging 13 169
from 0 through 25, inclusive. 14 196
15 225
16 256
Square Roots 17 289
Once you’ve mastered the process of squaring a whole number, then you are 18 324
ready for the inverse of the squaring process, taking the square root of a whole 19 361
number. 20 400
21 441
• Above, we saw that 92 = 81. We called the number 81 the square of the 22 484
number 9. Conversely, we call the number 9 a square root of the number 23 529
81. 24 576
25 625
• Above, we saw that (−4)2 = 16. We called the number 16 the square of
the number −4. Conversely, we call the number −4 a square root of the
number 16.

Square Root. If a2 = b, then a is called a square root of the number b.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 1. Find the square roots of the number 49. Find the square roots of 256.
Solution. To find a square root of 49, we must think of a number a such that
a2 = 49. Two numbers come to mind.
• (−7)2 = 49. Therefore, −7 is a square root of 49.
• 72 = 49. Therefore, 7 is a square root of 49.
Note that 49 has two square roots, one of which is positive and the other one
is negative. Answer: −16, 16

 426 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

You Try It!

Square Roots
Find the square roots of 625. EXAMPLE 2. Find the square roots of the number 196. √
x x
Solution. To find a square root of 196, we must think of a number a such that 0 0
a2 = 196. With help from the “List of Squares,” two numbers come to mind. 1 1
4 2
• (−14)2 = 196. Therefore, −14 is a square root of 196. 9 3
16 4
• 142 = 196. Therefore, 14 is a square root of 196. 25 5
36 6
Note that 196 has two square roots, one of which is positive and the other one 49 7
Answer: −25, 25 is negative. 64 8
81 9

100 10
121 11
144 12
169 13
You Try It! 196 14
225 15
Find the square roots of 9. EXAMPLE 3. Find the square roots of the number 0.
256 16
Solution. To find a square root of 0, we must think of a number a such that 289 17
a2 = 0. There is only one such number, namely zero. Hence, 0 is the square 324 18
Answer: −3, 3 root of 0. 361 19
400 20
 441 21
484 22
529 23
You Try It!
576 24
Find the square roots of −81. EXAMPLE 4. Find the square roots of the number −25. 625 25

Solution. To find a square root of −25, we must think of a number a such

that a2 = −25. This is impossible because no square of a real number (whole
number, integer, fraction, or decimal) can be negative. Positive times positive
is positive and negative times negative is also positive. You cannot square and
Answer: There are none. get a negative answer. Therefore, −25 has no square roots2 .


Radical Notation
Because (−3)2 = 9 and 32 = 9, both −3 and 3 are square roots of 9. Special
notation, called radical notation, is used to request these square roots.
2 At least not in Prealgebra. In later courses, you will be introduced to the set of complex

numbers, where −25 will have two square roots

 5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 427

√
• The radical notation 9, pronounced “the nonnegative square root of 9,”
calls for the nonnegative3 square root of 9. Hence,
√
9 = 3.
√
• The radical notation − 9, pronounced “the negative square root of 9,”
calls for the negative square root of 9. Hence,
√
− 9 = −3.

√ √
Radical Notation. In the expression 9, the symbol is called a radical
and the number within the radical, in this case the number 9, is called the
radicand.

List of Squares
For example,
x x2 √
0 0 • In the expression 529, the number 529 is the radicand.
1 1 √
2 4 • In the expression a2 + b2 , the expression a2 + b2 is the radicand.
3 9
4 16 Radical Notation and Square Root. If b is a positive number, then
5 25 √
6 36 1. b calls for the nonnegative square root of b.
7 49 √
2. − b calls for the negative square root of b.
8 64
9 81 Note: Nonnegative is equivalent to saying “not negative;” i.e., positive or zero.
10 100
11 121
12 144
13 169
You Try It!
14 196
√ √ √
15 225 EXAMPLE 5. Simplify: (a) 121, (b) − 625, and (c) 0. Simplify:
16 256 √
Solution.
17 289 a) 144
18 324 (a) Referring to the list of squares, we note that 112 = 121 and (−11)2 √
19 361 √ = 121. b) − 324
Therefore, both 11 and −11 are square roots of 121. However, 121 calls
20 400 for the nonnegative square root of 121. Thus,
21 441 √
22 484 121 = 11.
23 529
24 576 (b) Referring to the list of squares, we note that 252 = 625 and (−25)2 =√625.
25 625 Therefore, both 25 and −25 are square roots of 625. However, − 625
calls for the negative square root of 625. Thus,
√
− 625 = −25.
3 Nonnegative is equivalent to saying “not negative;” i.e., positive or zero.
 428 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

(c) There is only one square root of zero. Therefore,

√
0 = 0.

Answer: (a) 12 (b) −18



You Try It!

√ √
Simplify: EXAMPLE 6. Simplify: (a) − 25, and (b) −25.
√ Solution.
a) − 36 Square Roots
√
√ (a) Because 52 = 25 and (−5)2√= 25, both 5 and −5 are square roots of x x
b) −36 25. However, the notation − 25 calls for the negative square root of 25. 0 0
Thus, √ 1 1
− 25 = −5. 4 2
9 3
(b) It is not possible to square a real number (whole number, integer, fraction, 16 4
or decimal) and get −25. Therefore, there is no real square root of −25. 25 5
That is, √ 36 6
−25 49 7
Answer: (a) −6 (b) is not a real number. It is undefined4 . 64 8
undefined 81 9
 100 10
121 11
144 12
169 13
Order of Operations 196 14
With the addition of radical notation, the Rules Guiding Order of Operations 225 15
change slightly. 256 16
289 17
324 18
Rules Guiding Order of Operations. When evaluating expressions, pro-
361 19
ceed in the following order.
400 20
1. Evaluate expressions contained in grouping symbols first. If grouping 441 21
symbols are nested, evaluate the expression in the innermost pair of 484 22
grouping symbols first. 529 23
576 24
2. Evaluate all exponents and radicals that appear in the expression. 625 25
3. Perform all multiplications and divisions in the order that they appear
in the expression, moving left to right.
4. Perform all additions and subtractions in the order that they appear in
the expression, moving left to right.

The only change in the rules is in item #2, which says: “Evaluate all exponents
and radicals that appear in the expression,” putting radicals on the same level
as exponents.
4 At least in Prealgebra. In later courses you will be introduced to the set of complex
√
numbers, where −25 will take on a new meaning.
 5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 429

You Try It!

√ √
EXAMPLE 7. Simplify: −3 9 + 12 4. Simplify:
Solution. According to the Rules Guiding Order of Operations, we must √ √
2 4−3 9
evaluate the radicals in this expression first.
√ √ √
−3 9 + 12 4 = −3(3) + 12(2) Evaluate radicals first: 9 = 3
√
and 4 = 2.
= −9 + 24 Multiply: −3(3) = −9 and 12(2) = 24.
= 15 Add: −9 + 24 = 15.
Answer: −5

List of Squares
x x2 You Try It!
0 0 √
EXAMPLE 8. Simplify: −2 − 3 36. Simplify:
1 1
2 4 Solution. According to the Rules Guiding Order of Operations, we must √
5 − 8 169
3 9 evaluate the radicals in this expression first, moving left to right.
4 16 √ √
−2 − 3 36 = −2 − 3(6) Evaluate radicals first: 36 = 6
5 25
6 36 = −2 − 18 Multiply: 3(6) = 18.
7 49 = −20 Subtract: −2 − 18 = −2 + (−18) = −20.
8 64
Answer: −99
9 81
10 100 
11 121
12 144
13 169 You Try It!
14 196
√ √ √
15 225 EXAMPLE 9. Simplify: (a) 9 + 16 and (b) 9 + 16. Simplify:
16 256 √
Solution. Apply the Rules Guiding Order of Operations.
17 289 a) 25 + 144
18 324 a) In this case, the radical acts like grouping symbols, so we must evaluate √ √
19 361 what is inside the radical first. b) 25 + 144
20 400 √ √
9 + 16 = 25 Add: 9 + 16 = 25.
21 441 √
22 484 =5 Take nonnegative square root: 25 = 5.
23 529
24 576 b) In this example, we must evaluate the square roots first.
25 625 √ √ √ √
9 + 16 = 3 + 4 Square root: 9 = 3 and 16 = 4.
=7 Add: 3 + 4 = 7.
Answer: (a) 13 (b) 17


 430 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

Fractions and Decimals

We can also find square roots of fractions and decimals.

You Try It!


4 √
Simplify: EXAMPLE 10. Simplify: (a) , and (b) − 0.49.
9
 Solution.
25
a) 49  2    
2 2 2 4
√ (a) Because = = , then
b) 0.36 3 3 3 9

4 2
= .
9 3

(b) Because (0.7)2 = (0.7)(0.7) = 0.49 and (−0.7)2 = (−0.7)(−0.7)

√ = 0.49,
both 0.7 and −0.7 are square roots of 0.49. However, − 0.49 calls for
the negative square root of 0.49. Hence,
√
− 0.49 = −0.7.

Answer: (a) 5/7 (b) 0.6



Square Roots
√
Estimating Square Roots x x
0 0
The squares in the “List of Squares” are called perfect squares. Each is the 1 1
square of a whole
√ number. Not all numbers are perfect squares. For example, 4 2
in the case of 24, there is no√whole number whose square is equal to 24. 9 3
However, this does not prevent 24 from being a perfectly good number. 16 4
We can use the “List of Squares” to find decimal approximations when the 25 5
radicand is not a perfect square. 36 6
49 7
You Try It! 64 8
√ √ 81 9
Estimate: 83 EXAMPLE 11. Estimate 24 by guessing. Use a calculator to find a more
100 10
accurate result and compare this result with your guess.
121 11
144 12
Solution.
√ From the “List of Squares,”
√ note that 24 lies betwen 16 and 25, so 169 13
24 will lie between 4 and 5, with 24 much closer to 5 than it is to 4. 196 14
225 15
√ √ √
16 24 25 256 16
289 17
4 4.8 5 324 18
361 19
400 20
441 21
484 22
529 23
576 24
625 25
5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 431

Let’s guess √
24 ≈ 4.8.
As a check, let’s square 4.8.

(4.8)2 = (4.8)(4.8) = 23.04

√
Not quite 24! Clearly, 24 must be a little bit bigger than 4.8.
Let’s use a scientific calculator to get a better approximation. From our
calculator, using the square root button, we find
√
24 ≈ 4.89897948557.

Even though this is better than our estimate of 4.8, it is still only an ap-
proximation. Our calculator was only capable √ of providing 11 decimal places.
However, the exact decimal representation of 24 is an infinite decimal that
never terminates and never establishes a pattern of repetition.
√
Just for fun, here is a decimal approximation of 24 that is accurate to
1000 places, courtesy of http://www.wolframalpha.com/.
4.8989794855663561963945681494117827839318949613133402568653851
3450192075491463005307971886620928046963718920245322837824971773
09196755146832515679024745571056578254950553531424952602105418235
40446962621357973381707264886705091208067617617878749171135693149
44872260828854054043234840367660016317961567602617940145738798726
16743161888016008874773750983290293078782900240894528962666325870
21889483627026570990088932343453262850995296636249008023132090729
18018687172335863967331332533818263813071727532210516312358732472
35822058934417670915102576710597966482011173804100128309322482347
06798820862115985796934679065105574720836593103436607820735600767
24633259464660565809954782094852720141025275395093777354012819859
11851434656929005776183028851492605205905926474151050068455119830
90852562596006129344159884850604575685241068135895720093193879959
87119508123342717309306912496416512553772738561882612744867017729
60314496926744648947590909762887695867274018394820295570465751182
126319692156620734019070649453

If you were to multiply this number by itself (square the number), you would
get a number that is extremely close to 24, but it would not be exactly 24.
There would still be a little discrepancy. Answer: 9.1


Important Observation. A calculator can only produce a finite number of

decimal places. If the decimal representation of your number does not termi-
nate within this limited number of places, then the number in your calculator
window is only an approximation.
432 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

• The decimal representation of 1/8 will terminate within three places, so

most calculators will report the exact answer, 0.125.
• For contrast, 2/3 does not terminate. A calculator capable of reporting
11 places of accuracy produces the number 0.666666666667. However,
the exact decimal representation of 2/3 is 0.6. Note that the calculator
has rounded in the last place and only provides an approximation of
2/3. If your instructor asks for an exact answer on an exam or quiz then
0.666666666667, being an approximation, is not acceptable. You must
give the exact answer 2/3.
 5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 433

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-16, list all square roots of the given number. If the number has no square roots, write
“none”.

1. 256 9. 144
2. 361 10. 100
3. −289 11. −144
4. −400 12. −100
5. 441 13. 121
6. 36 14. −196
7. 324 15. 529
8. 0 16. 400

In Exercises 17-32, compute the exact square root. If the square root is undefined, write “undefined”.
√ √
17. −9 25. − 484
√ √
18. − −196 26. − 36
√ √
19. 576 27. − 196
√ √
20. 289 28. − 289
√ √
21. −529 29. 441
√ √
22. −256 30. 324
√ √
23. − 25 31. − 4
√ √
24. 225 32. 100

In Exercises 33-52, compute the exact square root.

√ 
33. 0.81 225
37.
√ 16
34. 5.29 
√ 100
35. 3.61 38.
81
√ √
36. 0.09 39. 3.24
 434 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

√ 
40. 5.76 144
 47.
121 25
41. 
49 49
 48.
625 36
42. 
324
 256
529 49.
43. 361
121 
 529
4 50.
44. 16
121 √
√ 51. 0.49
45. 2.89
√ √
46. 4.41 52. 4.84

In Exercises 53-70, compute the exact value of the given expression.

√ √
53. 6 − 576 62. 62 + 82
√ √ √
54. −2 − 7 576 63. −2 324 − 6 361
√ √ √
55. 82 + 152 64. −6 576 − 8 121
√ √
56. 72 + 242 65. −4 − 3 529
√ √ √
57. 6 16 − 9 49 66. −1 + 625
√ √ √ √
58. 3 441 + 6 484 67. −9 484 + 7 81
√ √ √
59. 52 + 122 68. − 625 − 5 576
√ √
60. 152 + 202 69. 2 − 16
√ √
61. 32 + 42 70. 8 − 6 400

In Exercises 71-76, complete the following tasks to estimate the given square root.
a) Determine the two integers that the square root lies between.
b) Draw a number line, and locate the approximate location of the square root between the two
integers found in part (a).
c) Without using a calculator, estimate the square root to the nearest tenth.
√ √
71. 58 74. 12
√ √
72. 27 75. 44
√ √
73. 79 76. 88
 5.7. INTRODUCTION TO SQUARE ROOTS 435

In Exercises 77-82, use a calculator to approximate the square root to the nearest tenth.
√ √
77. 469 80. 162
√ √
78. 73 81. 444
√ √
79. 615 82. 223

l l l Answers l l l

1. 16, −16 35. 1.9

15
3. none 37.
4
5. 21, −21 39. 1.8

7. 18, −18 11
41.
7
9. 12, −12 23
43.
11
11. none
45. 1.7
13. 11, −11 12
47.
5
15. 23, −23
16
49.
17. undefined 19

19. 24 51. 0.7

53. −18
21. undefined
55. 17
23. −5
57. −39
25. −22
59. 13
27. −14
61. 5
29. 21
63. −150
31. −2
65. −73
33. 0.9
67. −135
 436 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

69. −2 77. 21.7

71. 7.6
79. 24.8
73. 8.9
81. 21.1
75. 6.6
5.8. THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 437

5.8 The Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagoras was a Greek mathematician and philosopher, born on the island

of Samos (ca. 582 BC). He founded a number of schools, one in particular in
a town in southern Italy called Crotone, whose members eventually became
known as the Pythagoreans. The inner circle at the school, the Mathematikoi,
lived at the school, rid themselves of all personal possessions, were vegetarians,
and observed a strict vow of silence. They studied mathematics, philosophy,
and music, and held the belief that numbers constitute the true nature of
things, giving numbers a mystical or even spiritual quality.
Today, nothing is known of Pythagoras’s writings, perhaps due to the se-
crecy and silence of the Pythagorean society. However, one of the most famous
theorems in all of mathematics does bear his name, the Pythagorean Theorem.
Prior to revealing the contents of the Pythagorean Theorem, we pause to
provide the definition of a right triangle and its constituent parts.

Right Triangle. A triangle with one right angle (90◦ ) is called a right triangle.
In the figure below, the right angle is marked with a little square.

hypotenuse
leg

leg
The side of the triangle that is directly opposite the right angle is called the
hypotenuse. The sides of the triangle that include the right angle are called the
legs of the right triangle.

Now we can state one of the most ancient theorems of mathematics, the
Pythagorean Theorem.

Pythagorean Theorem. Let c represent the length of the hypotenuse of a

right triangle, and let a and b represent the lengths of its legs, as pictured in
the image that follows.
 438 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

c
a

b
The relationship involving the legs and hypotenuse of the right triangle, given
by
a2 + b 2 = c2 ,
is called the Pythagorean Theorem.

Here are two important observations.

Observations Regarding the Hypotenuse. Two important facts regarding

the hypotenuse of the right triangle are:
1. The hypotenuse is the longest side of the triangle and lies directly opposite
the right angle.

2. In the Pythagorean equation a2 + b2 = c2 , the hypotenuse lies by itself

on one side of the equation.

The Pythagorean Theorem can only be applied to right triangles.

Let’s look at a simple application of the Pythagorean Theorem.

You Try It!

The legs of a right triangle EXAMPLE 1. The legs of a right triangle measure 3 and 4 meters, respec-
measure 5 and 12 feet, tively. Find the length of the hypotenuse.
respectively. Find the length
of the hypotenuse. Solution. Let’s follow the Requirements for Word Problem Solutions.

1. Set up a Variable Dictionary. Let c represent the length of the hy-

potenuse, as pictured in the following sketch.
5.8. THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 439

c
3m

4m
2. Set up an Equation. The Pythagorean Theorem says that

a2 + b 2 = c2 .

In this example, the legs are known. Substitute 4 for a and 3 for b (3 for
a and 4 for b works equally well) into the Pythagorean equation.

4 2 + 3 2 = c2

3. Solve the Equation.

4 2 + 3 2 = c2 The Pythagorean equation.

2
16 + 9 = c Exponents first: 42 = 16 and 32 = 9.
25 = c2 Add: 16 + 9 = 25.
5=c Take the nonnegative square root.

Technically, there are two answers to c2 = 25, i.e., c = −5 or c = 5.

However, c represents the hypotenuse of the right triangle and must be
nonnegative. Hence, we must choose c = 5.
4. Answer the Question. The hypotenuse has length 5 meters.
5. Look Back. Do the numbers satisfy the Pythagorean Theorem? The sum
of the squares of the legs should equal the square of the hypotenuse. Let’s
check.

42 + 32 = 52
16 + 9 = 25
25 = 25

All is well! Answer: 13 feet

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 2. Given the following right triangle, find the length of the The hypotenuse of a right
missing side. triangle measures 25
centimeters. One leg of the
right triangle measures 24
centimeters. Find the length
of the remaining leg.
 440 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

13
5

Solution. Note that the hypotenuse (across from the right angle) has length
13. This quantity should lie on one side of the Pythagorean equation all by
itself. The sum of the squares of the legs go on the other side. Hence,

52 + x2 = 132

Solve the equation for x.

25 + x2 = 169 Exponents first: 52 = 25 and 132 = 169.

25 + x2 − 25 = 169 − 25 Subtract 25 from both sides.
2
x = 144 Simplify both sides.
x = 12 Take the nonnegative square root of 144.

Answer: 7 centimeters


Perfect squares are nice, but not required.

You Try It!

The hypotenuse and one leg EXAMPLE 3. Given the following right triangle, find the exact length of
of a right triangle measure 9 the missing side.
and 7 inches, respectively. 7
Find the length of the
remaining leg.

x
12

Solution. Note that the hypotenuse (across from the right angle) has length
12. This quantity should lie on one side of the Pythagorean equation all by
itself. The sum of the squares of the legs go on the other side. Hence,

x2 + 72 = 122
5.8. THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 441

Solve the equation for x.

x2 + 49 = 144 Exponents first: 72 = 49 and 122 = 144.
x2 + 49 − 49 = 144 − 49 Subtract 49 from both sides.
2
x = 95 Simplify both sides.
√
x = 95 Take the nonnegative square root of 95.
√ √
Hence, the exact length of the missing side is 95. Answer: 32 inches


Important Observation. Any attempt to use your calculator to approximate

√
95 in Example 3 would be an error as the instructions asked for an exact
answer.

Sometimes an approximate answer is desired, particularly in applications.

You Try It!

EXAMPLE 4. Ginny want to create a vegetable garden in the corner of her A 15 foot ladder leans
yard in the shape of a right triangle. She cuts two boards of length 8 feet which against the wall of a
will form the legs of her garden. Find the length of board she should cut to building. The base of the
form the hypotenuse of her garden, correct to the nearest tenth of a foot. ladder lies 5 feet from the
Solution. We follow the Requirements for Word Problem Solutions. base of the wall. How high
up the wall does the top of
1. Set up a Variable Dictionary. We begin with a labeled sketch. Let x the ladder reach? Round
represent the length of the unknown hypotenuse. your answer to the nearest
8 ft tenth of a foot.

8 ft x

2. Set Up an Equation. The hypotenuse is isolated on one side of the

Pythagorean equation.
x2 = 82 + 82
3. Solve the Equation.
x2 = 82 + 82 The Pythagorean equation.
2
x = 64 + 64 Exponents first: 82 = 64 and 82 = 64.
x2 = 128 Add: 64 + 64 = 128.
√
x = 128 Take the nonnegative square root.
 442 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

√
4. Answer the Question. The exact length of the hypotenuse is 128 feet,
but we’re asked to find the hypotenuse to the nearest
√ tenth of a foot.
Using a calculator, we find an approximation for 128.
√
128 ≈ 11.313708499

To round to the nearest tenth, first identify the rounding and test digits.

Test digit

11. 3 1 3708499

Rounding digit

The test digit is less than five. So we leave the rounding digit alone and
truncate. Therefore, correct to the nearest tenth of a foot, the length of
the hypotenuse is approximately 11.3 feet.
5. Look Back. The sum of the squares of the legs is

82 + 82 = 64 + 64
= 128.

The square of the hypotenuse is

(11.3)2 = 127.69

These are almost the same, the discrepancy due to the fact that we
rounded to find an approximation for the hypotenuse.

Answer: 14.1 feet


 5.8. THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 443

l l l Exercises l l l

In Exercises 1-16, your solutions should include a well-labeled sketch.

1. The length of one leg of a right triangle 9. The length of one leg of a right triangle
is 15 meters, and the length of the hy- is 12 meters, and the length of the hy-
potenuse is 25 meters. Find the exact potenuse is 19 meters. Find the exact
length of the other leg. length of the other leg.
2. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 7 10. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 5
meters, and the length of the hypotenuse meters, and the length of the hypotenuse
is 25 meters. Find the exact length of the is 10 meters. Find the exact length of the
other leg. other leg.
3. The lengths of two legs of a right trian- 11. The lengths of two legs of a right triangle
gle are 12 meters and 16 meters. Find the are 6 meters and 8 meters. Find the exact
exact length of the hypotenuse. length of the hypotenuse.
4. The lengths of two legs of a right trian- 12. The lengths of two legs of a right trian-
gle are 9 meters and 12 meters. Find the gle are 5 meters and 12 meters. Find the
exact length of the hypotenuse. exact length of the hypotenuse.
5. The length of one leg of a right triangle 13. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 6
is 13 meters, and the length of the hy- meters, and the length of the hypotenuse
potenuse is 22 meters. Find the exact is 10 meters. Find the exact length of the
length of the other leg. other leg.
6. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 6 14. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 9
meters, and the length of the hypotenuse meters, and the length of the hypotenuse
is 15 meters. Find the exact length of the is 15 meters. Find the exact length of the
other leg. other leg.
7. The lengths of two legs of a right trian- 15. The lengths of two legs of a right trian-
gle are 2 meters and 21 meters. Find the gle are 6 meters and 22 meters. Find the
exact length of the hypotenuse. exact length of the hypotenuse.
8. The lengths of two legs of a right triangle 16. The lengths of two legs of a right trian-
are 7 meters and 8 meters. Find the exact gle are 9 meters and 19 meters. Find the
length of the hypotenuse. exact length of the hypotenuse.

In Exercises 17-24, your solutions should include a well-labeled sketch.

17. The lengths of two legs of a right trian- 18. The lengths of two legs of a right triangle
gle are 3 meters and 18 meters. Find the are 10 feet and 16 feet. Find the length
length of the hypotenuse. Round your an- of the hypotenuse. Round your answer to
swer to the nearest hundredth. the nearest tenth.
 444 CHAPTER 5. DECIMALS

19. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 2 22. The lengths of two legs of a right triangle
meters, and the length of the hypotenuse are 6 feet and 13 feet. Find the length
is 17 meters. Find the length of the other of the hypotenuse. Round your answer to
leg. Round your answer to the nearest the nearest tenth.
tenth.
23. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 4
20. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 4 meters, and the length of the hypotenuse
meters, and the length of the hypotenuse is 8 meters. Find the length of the other
is 12 meters. Find the length of the other leg. Round your answer to the nearest
leg. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.
hundredth.
24. The length of one leg of a right triangle is 3
21. The lengths of two legs of a right triangle meters, and the length of the hypotenuse
are 15 feet and 18 feet. Find the length is 15 meters. Find the length of the other
of the hypotenuse. Round your answer to leg. Round your answer to the nearest
the nearest hundredth. tenth.

25. Greta and Fritz are planting a 13-meter 27. The base of a 24-meter long guy wire is
by 18-meter rectangular garden, and are located 10 meters from the base of the
laying it out using string. They would like telephone pole that it is anchoring. How
to know the length of a diagonal to make high up the pole does the guy wire reach?
sure that right angles are formed. Find Round your answer to the nearest hun-
the length of a diagonal. Round your an- dredth. Your solution should include a
swer to the nearest hundredth. Your solu- well-labeled sketch.
tion should include a well-labeled sketch.
28. The base of a 30-foot long guy wire is
26. Markos and Angelina are planting an 11- located 9 feet from the base of the tele-
meter by 19-meter rectangular garden, phone pole that it is anchoring. How
and are laying it out using string. They high up the pole does the guy wire reach?
would like to know the length of a di- Round your answer to the nearest hun-
agonal to make sure that right angles dredth. Your solution should include a
are formed. Find the length of a diag- well-labeled sketch.
onal. Round your answer to the near-
est tenth. Your solution should include
a well-labeled sketch.

29. Hiking Trail. A hiking trail runs due south for 8 kilometers, then turns west for about 15
kilometers, and then heads northeast on a direct path to the starting point. How long is the entire
trail?
30. Animal Trail. An animal trail runs due east from a watering hole for 12 kilometers, then goes
north for 5 kilometers. Then the trail turns southwest on a direct path back to the watering hole. How
long is the entire trail?
 5.8. THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM 445

31. Upper Window. A 10-foot ladder leans against the wall of a house. How close to the wall must
the bottom of the ladder be in order to reach a window 8 feet above the ground?
32. How high? A 10-foot ladder leans against the wall of a house. How high will the ladder be if
the bottom of the ladder is 4 feet from the wall? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

l l l Answers l l l

1. 20 meters 17. 18.25 meters

3. 20 meters 19. 16.9 meters

√
5. 315 meters 21. 23.43 feet
√
7. 445 meters 23. 6.93 meters
√
9. 217 meters 25. 22.20 meters

11. 10 meters 27. 21.82 meters

13. 8 meters 29. 40 kilometers

√
15. 520 meters 31. 6 ft.
 Index

π, 377, 378 by powers of ten, 392

signed, 390
addition divisor
decimals, 359 decimal, 388
signed, 362
equations
circle, 376 with decimals, 411
area, 379, 379
chord, 377 fractions
circumference, 377, 378, 419 square roots of, 430
diameter, 377 to decimals, 401
radius, 376 with decimals, 405
circumference, 419
combining like terms geometry
decimals, 412 circle, 419

decimals, 342 multiplication

as divisors, 388 decimals, 370, 371
comparing, 350 by powers of ten, 376
equations, 411 signed, 373
notation, 342
order of operations, 393, 428
parts, 343 rules guiding, 374, 393
pronouncing, 344
reading, 345 pi, 377, 378
repeating, 402, 403 pythagorean theorem, 437
rounding, 348, 419
square roots of, 430 radicals, 426
terminating, 401 notation, 426
to fractions, 346 right triangles
with fractions, 405 hypotenuse, 438
digit, 342 pythagorean theorem, 437
division rounding
decimals, 386, 389 rounding digit, 349

447
448 INDEX

test digit, 349

Rules Guiding Order of Operations,
374, 393

square
of a number, 425
square root, 425, 425
decimals, 430
estimating, 430
fractions, 430
radical notation, 427
subtraction
decimals, 361
signed, 362