This document discusses multiplying decimals. It explains that to multiply decimals, one can convert them to whole numbers by moving the decimal point, perform the multiplication, and then move the decimal point back to its original position. Specifically: 1) Multiply the decimals by factors of 10 (10, 100, 1000) to convert them to whole numbers 2) Multiply the whole numbers together 3) Divide the result by the same factors of 10 to return the decimal point to its proper place This allows one to leverage known multiplication methods for whole numbers. Examples are provided to demonstrate this process.

1. Adult Numeracy Level 2 Multiplication of Decimals (by Dave Cross, Suffolk New College)

4. We can already multiply whole numbers from the work done at Level 1, so if we are able to adjust our problem to suit what we already know this may help. 3 x 42 = 42 x 3 126 Our original problem was 3x0.42 But here we have calculated 3x42 Look how many times we have moved the decimal point to make 0.42 into 42

5. By moving the decimal point to the right by two places, this is the same as multiplying by 100 (So our answer is 100 times too big) 126. 1.26 We must reverse this effect by Dividing by 100