ACT Math : How to add decimals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Arithmetic

Jenny is getting ready for school. She bought school supplies on a tax-free day. She bought notebooks for $1.25 each and crayons for $0.90 each. Jenny bought two more notebooks than crayons. She paid with a ten dollar bill and got $1.05 in change. How many notebooks did she buy?

Possible Answers:

3

5

2

1

4

Correct answer:

5

Explanation:

Define variables as x = number of crayons and x + 2 = number of notebooks

To find out how much she spent, we subtract her change from what she paid with: 10.00 – 1.05 = 8.95

Then we need to solve the problem cost of notebooks plus the cost of crayons equals the total cost.

1.25(x + 2) + 0.90x = 8.95 and solving for x gives 3 crayons and 5 notebooks                    

Example Question #1 : How To Add Decimals

Simplify the following:

\(\displaystyle 1.43+.52+.643\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2.59\)

\(\displaystyle 1.643\)

\(\displaystyle 2.593\)

\(\displaystyle .692\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2.593\)

Explanation:

To add decimals, first add zeros to the necessary terms so they all have the same number of places to the right of the decimal point.

\(\displaystyle 1.430+.520+.643\)

Now, temporarily drop the decimal and add the numbers as if they were whole numbers.

\(\displaystyle 1430+520+643=2593\)

Finally, add the decimal place back in, in the same place you removed it from. In this case, we originally modified our numbers so they all had 3 numbers to the right of the decimal, so we will add the decimal back to the exact same place. Thus, our answer is:

\(\displaystyle 2.593\)

 

Example Question #2 : How To Add Decimals

Add:  \(\displaystyle 1.1+ 0.11+0.111\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1.2321\)

\(\displaystyle 1.221\)

\(\displaystyle 1.113\)

\(\displaystyle 1.111\)

\(\displaystyle 1.321\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1.321\)

Explanation:

Rewrite the problem so that the tenths, hundredths, and thousandths digits align. Use zeros as placeholders and solve.

\(\displaystyle 1.1+ 0.11+0.111= 1.100+0.110+0.111 = 1.321\)

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