Why do you move your decimal when multiplying?

Answer 1

"Moving the decimal point" is an easy way to accomplish some multiplications or divisions.

If you have a number and you need to multiply it by 10, you should go through

the process of multiplication as you've learned to do it, and then when you finish,

LOOK at the product you've produced and SEE that it's the same as the original

number but with its decimal point moved one place to the right. Then, forever after,

you'll remember that if you need to multiply a number by 10, simply move its decimal

point one place to the right, and your multiplication will be done.

If you have a number and you need to divide it by 10, you should go through the

process of division as you've learned to do it, and then when you finish, LOOK at

the quotient you've produced and SEE that it's the same as the original number

but with its decimal point moved one place to the left. Then, forever after, you'll

remember that if you need to divide a number by 10, simply move its decimal point

one place to the left, and your division will be done.