Multiplying decimals seems like a big task, though this article will help you understand it easier. Multiplying decimals is actually just like multiplying integers, though it involves being moved over the decimal point.
ISAIAH LOPEZ
To multiply decimals, start off by asking yourself what it would be if there was no decimal point at all. For example, 1.2 • 0.5. What if there were no decimal points? Well, it would be 12 • 5, which is 60. Now let's add the decimal points back in. Since 12 is moved right by one (12, 1.2) and 5 is moved right by one (5, 0.5), that is two ones, which is two. Now, let's move 60 right by two, 60, 6, 0.6. That is your answer!
If both numbers are mixed decimals, pretty much just do the same thing. Multiply your two numbers like you would two 2-digit numbers, than add back in the decimal points. Let's try an example. 3.4 • 6.3. In this case, both numbers are mixed decimals, meaning they have numbers on both sides of the decimal point. First, multiply 63 and 34 as 2-digit numbers.
Now that we are done multiplying, we will move over the decimal point. Since 3.4 and 6.3 are each moved right by one, and one plus one is two, we will move the product right by two. The final answer would then be 21.42, because 2142.0 moved right by two is 21.42.