Divide Decimals Games for Kids

Dividing decimals can be a bit tricky for young kids. However, it is a critical concept that needs to be taught to grade 5 students. You would need a focused approach to ensure that they are able to understand the concept for maximum retention. Further in this blog, you would learn how to initiate the concept of dividing decimals effortlessly and engaging.

Introduction

Considering that most of our real-life scenarios would involve decimals, learning to deal with them is critical. Half liter of water into three parts, dividing INR 100.50 among two people, the list of possibilities for decimal division is very big.

Dividing decimals is pretty much the same as dividing whole numbers with the exception of the decimal point. However, unlike in the whole number division, you never write a remainder. But, all these come with practice.

Read on to know more about the challenges involved in how to introduce this concept to primary kids with ease.

Hurdles in Learning to Divide Decimals

While the introductory lessons in dividing decimals would involve whole number divisors, it is still pretty tricky to master for primary kids. Here are some common challenges they may face during the initial learning process:

1. Placing the decimal point: Determining the position of the decimal point is the most common challenge every kid would face in dividing decimals. The easiest way to divide a decimal number by a whole number is by treating the dividend also as a whole number and dividing it using a simple long division method and then inserting the decimal point at the appropriate point in the quotient.

For instance, when dividing 8.4 by 6, you have to ignore the decimal point making it 84 ÷ 6. The resultant quotient is 14. You would then have to insert the decimal point to get 1.4 as the quotient.

If the divisor is also a decimal number then you will have to multiply both the divisor and dividend with the same multiple of 10 to get a whole number and then divide it normally. You can then correct the quotient by placing the decimal point at the appropriate position. For eg, 0.589 ÷ 0.12 will become 589 ÷ 120=4.908

However, sometimes the placement for the decimal point can go wrong and would require a lot of practice.

2. Understanding word problem-based sums and dividing appropriately: Understanding word problem sums involving much text can also get challenging especially for primary kids.

Fun Ways of Introducing Decimal Division to Primary Kids

A decimal division need not be an arduous learning process. Instead, you can make it engaging and fun through interactive and interesting games. For instance,

Make them think of situations where they would have to divide decimals with a whole number or a decimal number. Money can be a good example.

Create scenarios involving decimal division and help them solve it. You make a profit of INR 255.50 and have to divide it between two people. How much would each person get? Ask them which is the divisor and which is the dividend, and let them solve it.

Let them play online educational games involving decimal divisions. This would not only help them practice the concepts but also make the learning more engaging and fun.

Learning with Online Educational Games

With interactive educational games like that on SplashLearn, learning can never get monotonous. Through their animated and curriculum-oriented interface, kids get a better understanding of the concepts and are able to practice for longer hours without losing focus.

Since these games are designed especially for primary grade kids, it follows a progressive approach with respect to the difficulty level. Furthermore, your kids would start with the most basic numbers and complete levels to reach more complex and challenging questions. This would not only keep them engaged but also make them more confident on the concepts. 

• Divide Using Models: This interactive game uses colour coding to depict the number of groups that can be formed when you divide one decimal with a whole number.
  
  
• Understanding placement of decimal points: This would help kids determine the placement of the decimal point with an appropriate explanation for better retention.
  
  
• Divide by Tenths and Hundredths: This game reinforces the concept of decimal division when both the dividend and divisor are decimals.

An Afterthought

The decimal division is a very important concept that requires a lot of focus and careful understanding. With SplashLearn games, you can ensure that the process of learning is easy and fun-filled for your young one. 

We would love to hear from you. Do try out our games and give us your feedback/suggestions on how we can make it better for your kid by writing to us at help@splashlearn.com.