Explain the concept of decimals

Decimals are read from left to right. The digits to the left of the decimal point are read as a whole number. The digits to the right of the decimal point are read one by one.

Worked Example

Read the decimal number 25.6.

Solution

• The whole number part is 25 → read as "twenty-five"
• The decimal point → read as "point"
• The digit 6 → read as "six"

So, 25.6 is read as "twenty-five point six".

More Examples

Writing Decimals in Words

Worked Example

Write 13.26 in words.

Solution

13 is read as "thirteen" 26 is read as "two six"

So, 13.26 is written as "thirteen point two six".

Writing Words in Decimals

Worked Example

Write "eleven point six" in numerals.

Solution

Eleven → 11 Six → 6

So, "eleven point six" is written as 11.6.

• The decimal point separates the whole number from the fractional part.
• The first place to the right of the decimal point is tenths (divide by 10).
• The second place to the right is hundredths (divide by 100).
• The third place to the right is thousandths (divide by 1000).
• When reading decimals, say each digit on the right side separately.
• Decimals are obtained by dividing the numerator by the denominator of a fraction (for example, $\frac{1}{10} = 0.1$).

In Tanzania, decimals are used every day when shopping at the market or using mobile money. For example, if you buy 2.5 kilograms of rice at the market, the seller uses decimals to measure the weight. Similarly, when you check your M-Pesa balance or recharge airtime with Tsh 500.50, decimals help show the exact amount. Decimals are also used when measuring medicine doses, reading your weight at the clinic, or checking fuel prices at the petrol station.