To multiply decimals, count the decimal places in each factor and add them to determine the decimal places in the product. The decimal point is placed in the product by moving left by the total number of decimal places. Adding zeros to the left of the product may be necessary to position the decimal point correctly. The product of two numbers less than one is always less than either factor.

1. 2-6 MULTIPLYING WHOLE NUMBERS
CHAPTER 2 AND DECIMALS
REMEMBER… The Decimal Point has to be aligned to do any operation.
In Multiplication:
1. Count the decimal places in each factor.
2. Add the number of decimal places.
3. Go to the product… start at the right and move LEFT
the total number of decimal places. Sometimes, you have to ADD ZEROS
to the left of a product, so you can
Example: 52.3 x 2.6 52.3 place the Decimal Point correctly.
2 decimal places
x 2.6
3138 Example 0.42 4 decimal places
10460 x0.09
135.98 .0378
Move 2 places to the left
Move 4 places to the left
When you multiply two numbers, each of which is
LESS than one… the product is ALWAYS LESS than
either of the factors Example: 0.09 x 0.09 = 0.81