Question

A 1 meter long ribbon is divided into 8 equal pieces, what is the length of each piece? (in decimal)
m

Answer 1

A 1 meter long ribbon is divided into 8 equal pieces.
Length of each piece $=\frac{1}{8}m$

Let's convert $\frac{1}{8}m$ to a decimal.

$\frac{1}{8}$ represents $1÷8.$

Step 1: Here, denominator > numerator. We have to make the dividend digit (1) greater than the numerator digit (8) by placing 0 next to the 1 and to the quotient respectively. Now we have 10 as a new dividend. (10 > 8).


Step 2: In the quotient part, it is important to insert decimal (.) after 0 and start the division.

Step 3: Multiply 8 with a number so that the product is less than equal to 10. $8\times 1=8$. Now, the quotient is 1 and the remainder left is 2.

After introducing decimal in the quotient we can introduce one 0 at each step of division.

Step 4: Now the new dividend is 20. Multiply 8 with a number so that the product is less than equal to 20. $8\times 2=16$. Here now the quotient is 2 and the leftover remainder is 4.

After introducing decimal in the quotient we can introduce one 0 at each step of division.


Step 5: Now the new dividend is 40. Multiply 8 with a number so that the product is less than equal to 40. $8\times 5=40$. Here now the quotient is 5 and the leftover remainder is 0.

$\therefore \frac{1}{8}$ can be written as $\mathrm{0.125.}$

Hence, length of each piece is $0.125m.$