Dividing a decimal number by a whole number, both mentally for simple cases (e.g., £4.80 ÷ 4) and using short division for larger numbers, keeping the decimal point aligned.
Where your child meets this in real life: Splitting costs equally (£12.60 ÷ 4), finding unit prices, or dividing measurements
SEAGReady breaks divide decimals by whole numbers into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Divide simple decimals by whole numbers mentally, where both the whole and decimal parts divide evenly
Divide decimals by whole numbers mentally when remainders from the whole part must be converted to decimal parts
Divide any decimal number by a whole number using formal short division, keeping the decimal point aligned
Three free sample questions from our divide decimals by whole numbers course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Aoife and 3 friends share a taxi fare of £6.80 equally between all 4 of them. How much does each person pay?
Answer: A. £1.70
Split the amount into pounds and pence: £6 / 4 = £1 (with £2 remainder, but let's use the easier split) Actually: £6.80 = £4 + £2.80, so think of it as: £6 / 4 = £1.50... wait, let's do it step by step: Pounds: 6 / 4 = 1 remainder 2 Convert remainder: £2 = 200p, add to 80p = 280p 280p / 4 = 70p Total: £1.70 Or more simply: £6.80 / 4 = (£4 + £2.80) / 4 = £1 + £0.70 = £1.70
Stuck? Start here: Think about this in two parts: the pounds and the pence separately.
Oisin buys 4 identical notebooks for £5.60 altogether. How much does one notebook cost?
Answer: A. £1.40
£5.60 / 4 Pounds: 5 / 4 = 1 remainder 1 The remainder £1 = 100p Add to existing pence: 100p + 60p = 160p Divide: 160p / 4 = 40p Total: £1 + 40p = £1.40 One notebook costs £1.40.
Stuck? Start here: Start by dividing the pounds: £5 / 4. Does it divide evenly?
A ribbon 12.75 metres long is cut into 3 equal pieces. Using short division, find the length of each piece.
Answer: A. 4.25 m
Using short division for 12.75 / 3: 4 . 2 5 3 ) 12.75 Step by step: - 12 / 3 = 4 (write 4 in ones place) - 7 / 3 = 2 remainder 1 (write 2 in tenths, carry 1) - 15 / 3 = 5 (write 5 in hundredths) The decimal point in the answer aligns with the decimal point in 12.75. Each piece is 4.25 metres long.
Stuck? Start here: Set up short division with the decimal point aligned above.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara and 3 friends share a taxi that costs £8.40 equally between all 4 of them.
How much does each person pay?
£8.40 ÷ 4
Step 1 of 3
Ciara and 3 friends share a taxi that costs £8.40 equally between all 4 of them.
How much does each person pay?
Each person pays £2.10.
The key insight: Divide pounds and pence separately, then combine them. The decimal point stays in place!
Watch out: £8.40 ÷ 4 = £2.1. Writing £2.1 instead of £2.10 is correct mathematically but looks wrong for money. Always show two decimal places for pence.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in divide decimals by whole numbers, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with divide decimals by whole numbers? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.