3.6.1 Addition and subtraction with decimals
Addition and subtraction can be carried out with decimals just as for whole numbers. Take care to write the numbers in their correct columns and keep the decimal points in line under each other.
Example 17
(a) Add 303.035 kg and 7.77 kg.
(b) Subtract 7.77 kg from 303.035 kg.
Answer
Remember to supply a ‘0’ at the end of 7.77 to keep the number of decimal places the same.
(a) The answer is 310.805 kg.
(b) The answer is 295.265 kg.
(With an awkward subtraction like this, a useful check is to add 7.77 to 295.265 to make sure that you get back to 303.035.)
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