Watch more Basic Math Skills videos: www.howcast.com/videos/391410-How-to-Multiply-Decimals When multiplying decimals, the key is to keep track of the number of decimal places. Learn how with this guide. Step 1: Multiply whole numbers Multiply the 2 numbers containing decimals the same way you would if they were whole numbers containing no decimals. Tip For example, to multiply 0.5 and 2.2, first obtain the product of 5 times 22, which is 110. Step 2: Count decimal places Count how many digits follow the decimal points in the two decimal numbers you are multiplying. Tip In the case of 0.5 and 2.2, there are a total of two digits following the decimal points. Step 3: Correctly position the decimal point Position the decimal point in the answer, also known as the product. The product will have as many decimal places as the sum of the decimal places in the two original numbers, also called the multiples. First, add up the number of decimal places in the two multiples. Tip For instance, there is one decimal place in 0.5, and one decimal place 2.2. 1 plus 1 equals 2, so the answer should have two decimal places. Step 4: Shift decimal point Starting at the right of the product, shift the decimal point to the left the same number of places as the sum of the decimal places in your product. Tip The product, 110, becomes 1.10. Step 5: Eliminate zeros Eliminate any zeros at the end of the product -- 0.5 times 2.2 equals 1.1. Did You Know? The word decimal comes from the Latin word for 10th part.

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