Question

What is `8.7 * .006`?

Answer 1

`0.0522`

Explanation:

When multiplying/dividing decimals, it is better to ignore the decimals at first. We can place it back in after we get our numerical value.

Knowing this, we can multiply `87` and `6` together:

`87*6 => 522`

Now that we have the product of those two numbers, we only need to place that decimals back into the number somewhere.

To determine where this decimal goes, we must look at the total number of decimal places moved within both numbers. In `8.7` the decimal has been moved back one place, while in `0.006`, it has been moved back 3 places.

So in total, for our final answer, we must move the decimal back 4 places:

`522 => 0.0522`