Decimals at work

Ribbon costs ₹35 for one metre. What do 1.2 m cost?

The rule

1.2 m of ribbon cost ₹42.

A rate is the price of one unit, such as one metre. Multiply the rate by how much you buy.

• 1.2 m of ribbon at ₹35 a metre: 12 × 35 = 420. 1.2 has one place, so 42.0, which is ₹42.
• 0.25 kg of sugar at ₹48 a kilogram: 25 × 48 = 1200. 0.25 has two places, so 12.00, which is ₹12.

Sharing is the opposite step. Cut 4.5 m of cloth into 3 equal pieces. Each is 1.5 m. Check: 1.5 × 3 = 4.5.

Money has 2 places after the point, the hundredths: ₹42.00.