A Peek Beyond the Point - A Tenth Part

The word 'Decimal' comes from the Latin word 'decem' meaning ten. A decimal consists of a whole number part and a fractional part, separated by a decimal point.

The first place to the right of the decimal point is the 'Tenths' place. It represents $\frac{1}{10}$ of a whole. For example, $0.7$ is seven-tenths or $\frac{7}{10}$.

In the place value table, as we move from left to right, the value of each place becomes $\frac{1}{10}$ of the previous place. The sequence is Tens ($10$), Ones ($1$), Tenths ($\frac{1}{10}$), and Hundredths ($\frac{1}{100}$).

To represent decimals on a number line, divide the unit length between two integers into $10$ equal parts. Each part represents $0.1$.

Any fraction with a denominator of $10$ can be written in decimal notation. If the denominator is not $10$, we can find an equivalent fraction with a denominator of $10$ (or $100$, $1000$, etc.) to convert it to a decimal.

When adding or subtracting decimals, it is essential to align the decimal points so that digits of the same place value are in the same column.