Thread: decimal problem

Suppose you multiply a decimal number that has 2 digits to the right of its decimal point by a decimal number that has 4 digits to the right of its decimal point. Explain why you put the decimal point 2+4 places from the end of the product calcualted without the decimal points.

Problem solving please help this is from a book.

Originally Posted by recca

Suppose you multiply a decimal number that has 2 digits to the right of its decimal point by a decimal number that has 4 digits to the right of its decimal point. Explain why you put the decimal point 2+4 places from the end of the product calcualted without the decimal points.

Problem solving please help this is from a book.

The lowest power of 10 column is 10^-2 when there are 2 decimal points

...and 10^-4 when there are 4 decimal points.

a^b * a^c = a^(b+c)...

...so 10^-2 * 10^-4 = 10^-6, which would mean there are 6 decimal points.