The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is 0.156.
Dividing a number by 100 is a straightforward process that involves shifting the position of its decimal point. This method is a fundamental shortcut in arithmetic that avoids the need for long division when dealing with powers of ten like 10, 100, or 1000. The key principle is to move the decimal point to the left. The number of places you move the decimal point is determined by the number of zeros in the number you are dividing by.
In this specific problem, we are asked to divide 15.6 by 100. The number 100 has two zeros. This tells us that we need to move the decimal point in 15.6 two places to the left to find the correct answer.
Let’s break down the steps:
- Start with the number 15.6. The decimal point is currently located between the digit 5 and the digit 6.
- Move the decimal point one place to the left. This shifts it to be between the 1 and the 5, giving us the number 1.56.
- Move the decimal point a second place to the left. This moves it in front of the digit 1, resulting in .156.
For clarity and to follow standard mathematical convention, it is common practice to place a zero in front of the decimal point if there are no other digits there. Therefore, .156 is properly written as 0.156.
Another way to understand this calculation is to think of it in terms of fractions. The number 15.6 is equivalent to the fraction 156/10. Dividing by 100 is the same as multiplying by the fraction 1/100. So, the problem can be rewritten as (156/10) × (1/100). When multiplying fractions, you multiply the numerators together and the denominators together, which gives us 156/1000. The fraction 156/1000, or one hundred fifty-six thousandths, is written as the decimal 0.156. Both methods confirm the same result.
