Learn how to Add Decimals Easily

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The Easy Method for Adding Decimals

Adding Decimals is the process of adding two numbers that are decimals together. When Adding Decimals you will put one number above the other number. When you do this, you must make sure the decimal in each number is lined up vertically. You need to add a zero to any blank space that does not have a number so that both decimals are the same length. The last step for finding how to add decimals is to add the decimals together through column addition. Make sure that the decimal gets moved down in the same spot as it was lined up in.

Common Core Standard: 6.NS.3

Return To: Home, 6th Grade

Here’s how to complete Decimal Addition Example Problems

Here’s the quick explanation for learning how to add with decimals. Adding Decimals is how two numbers that are decimals are added together. When Adding Decimals you will put one number over the other number. When you do this, you should ensure the decimal in each number is arranged vertically. You have to add a zero to any clear space that does not have a number with the goal that the two decimals have the same length. The final step for adding with decimals is to add the decimals together by vertically adding them. Ensure that the decimal stays in the same spot in your final answer.

5 Steps to Easily Add Decimals Together

Arrange the two decimals so that one is above the other.
Line up the decimals of the two numbers.
Add a zero to any blank space so that the two decimals are the same length.
Add the decimals together through column addition.
Bring the decimal straight down.

Decimal Addition Practice Problems Quiz

Watch the video explanation of our Adding Decimals Worksheet

Watch our free video on how do you Add Decimals. This video shows how to solve problems that are on our free Adding Decimals worksheets that you can get by submitting your email above.

Watch the free Adding Decimals video on YouTube here: How to Add Decimals Video

Video Transcript:

This video is about addition of decimals. You can get the addition of decimals worksheet used in this video for free by clicking on the link in the description below. When you add decimals, you must place one number above the other number on your paper. In the case of this example where we have 3.45 plus 9.82 and we’re going to add these decimals I’m going to take one number. I’m going to take the first number 3.45 and I’m going to place it above 9.82. When you’re adding decimals, you must make sure the decimal point is lined up vertically. Once the decimals are lined up you can add your two decimals together through regular column addition. We’ll add the numbers in the first column together then the numbers in the second column and then finally the numbers in the third column. In the case of these two decimals our first column is 5 and 2. We’re going to add those vertically. 5 plus 2 is 7 then we’re going to add 4 plus 8 and 4 plus 8 is 12. I put a 2 down here then I carry the 1. 9 plus 3 is also 12 and then 12 plus 1 is 13. Now the decimal point when we add decimals moves straight down, that means that the decimal point will not change its location. If it’s here then you move it straight into your answer this means that the answer to this adding decimal example is going to be 13.27.

Let’s try a couple adding decimals examples from our decimal addition worksheets. The first problem on our adding decimals worksheet gives us 1.2 plus 8.4. Now we already know that we’re going to take the two numbers and line them up vertically. 1.2 plus 8.4. We have to line the decimals up and we know that our answer is going to have a decimal point in the same spot that the original decimals have once they’re lined up. Now that they’re lined up we can just add 2 plus 4 is 6 and then 1 plus 8 is 9. I know that the answer to this problem is going to be 9.6.

Number six on our adding decimals worksheet gives us 1.4 plus 9.05. Again, we’re going to write the numbers vertically that we can add them and we’re going to line the decimal points up. The last thing I wanted to explain about how to add decimals is that anytime you are missing a number in your column you have to add a zero into the spot. You can complete your column addition. Now that our decimals are lined up, I’m going to carry a decimal to the answer then we can do our column addition. 0 plus 5 is 5 4 plus 0 is 4 and then 1 plus 9 is 10. The solution to these decimals being added together is going to be 10.45.

The last problem we’re going to complete on our adding decimals worksheet is number seven. This problem gives us 7.08 plus 1.5. Again, our first step is to line the numbers up vertically and we’re going to make sure the decimal points are aligned. Now that our decimal points are aligned, we can bring our decimal point down for the answer. Any spot that we’re missing a number we’re going to add a 0 in. I’m going to write a 0 in after this 5. Then I’m going to complete my column addition. 8 plus 0 is 8 0 plus 5 is 5 and then 7 plus 1 is also 8. The solution to the addition of these decimals is just 8.58. Hopefully this video was helpful for teaching you how to add decimals. Try all the practice problems by downloading the free addition with decimals worksheet above.