Divide 7.2 by 0.3. What is the result?

Divide 7.2 by 0.3. What is the result?

• A. 2.4
• B. 72
• C. 8
• D. 24

Answer: (D)

Dividing by a decimal means figuring out how many times that decimal value fits into the other number. To make the arithmetic simple, clear the decimals by multiplying both numbers by the same power of ten. Here, multiply by ten: 7.2 becomes 72 and 0.3 becomes 3. Now you have 72 ÷ 3, which equals 24. A quick check shows 0.3 × 24 = 7.2, so the result is 24.

Dividing by a decimal means figuring out how many times that decimal value fits into the other number. To make the arithmetic simple, clear the decimals by multiplying both numbers by the same power of ten. Here, multiply by ten: 7.2 becomes 72 and 0.3 becomes 3. Now you have 72 ÷ 3, which equals 24. A quick check shows 0.3 × 24 = 7.2, so the result is 24.