Decimals are numbers that include a whole number, a fractional part, and a decimal point that separates the two. For example, in the number 34.58, 34 is the whole number, and 58 is the fractional part (whose value is less than 1). Both are separated by a point known as the decimal point.
Just like whole numbers, decimals can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided. Students may find dividing decimals a little tricky as they are not whole numbers and have an additional set of rules for calculation. But once they understand the rules, dividing decimals becomes easy.
Besides practicing the traditional way, students can practice dividing decimals using online games. Games are an ideal tool to promote learning. Students love them because they are fun, and educators love them because they keep students engaged and improve their problem-solving skills.
Fun and challenging online games to practice dividing decimal numbers
Learning the division of decimal numbers doesn’t have to be boring. Online games mentioned below can help to practice this mathematical concept and build a strong understanding.
1. Shopping: Decimal divisions to the tenths
This is a fun and interactive game to practice dividing decimal numbers. Students get the chance to buy stuff using dimes available to them for shopping. They have to spend the dimes equally on all the products before moving forward. Once they shop for their fun stuff, they need to work on solving the problem of dividing decimals. Every correct answer gives them the opportunity to shop for more fun items and proceed in the game. The game is designed to teach players decimal division to the tenth place.
2. Gold rush division
This game helps to build a conceptual understanding of dividing decimals. Players have to use the regrouping method to divide the decimals. The questions in the game cover dividing decimals up to two decimal places. The game begins by asking players to divide gold equally between two miners. In the following questions, more miners join in, making the question a little more challenging. Players need to successfully solve a question before moving on to the next one.
3. Supermarket decimals
Here is a supermarket challenge to teach decimal division and let players know how they can use this math concept each time they go shopping with their parents. The game presents questions that require players to divide decimals up to two decimal places. The best part about this game is that it brings other characters to converse with the main character to discuss how they can solve the question at hand. It gives subtle hints to guide players to solve the problem correctly.
4. Decimalware ÷
Here is a game that allows students to practice converting decimals into fractions and dividing them to find the answer. The game is based on the story that Decimalware ÷, a destructive software, is attacking computer systems. Players need to protect computers by installing antivirus software which can be completed by solving questions that appear on top of the grid. The decimals must be first converted into fractions to get the correct answer. Dividing decimals becomes less intimidating when practiced through this stimulating and engrossing online game.
5. Decimal division
In this game, the player is presented with ten decimal division problems, all at once, on the screen. Players must solve the questions as fast as they can and match them with their correct answers. After submitting answers, players have the option to check which questions they got wrong, and their correct answers. The game also has a leaderboard to display player rankings and the time they took to answer all the questions.
6. Decimal board game
This online board game is great to encourage competitiveness as it can be played by two players. Players have to roll the online dice to see their questions. After player 1 submits the answer, player 2 gets a chance to roll the dice and work on a different question. The game is not restricted to questions related to dividing decimals, but also covers other areas like addition, multiplication, and subtraction. Hence, this game is good for practicing all aspects of decimal numbers.
7. Math speed racing decimal division
Mathnook brings a thrilling game filled with adventure and speed for those who love to play action-packed games. Players can enjoy this car racing game along with practicing their math skills. To keep their car moving, players must collect fuel from time to time and carefully control their cars to avoid collisions with other vehicles on the road. Players can fill up their fuel tanks by running over cars that indicate the problem whose answer matches the player’s car number. Interesting, isn’t it?
Wrapping up,
We come across decimal numbers almost every day. Whether we are counting money, calculating our bills at the grocery store, or visiting a gas station to refuel a car, we have to do our calculations with decimal numbers. Therefore, students must learn how to round off decimals for easy estimation and perform direct calculations to deal with these numbers in daily life.
Online games are a great way of teaching and practicing dividing decimals as kids engage with them better while developing a good hold on the topic. So, give the above online games a try and get better at dividing decimals.
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,