Simplify this Problem 1.5 x 1.5
The correct Answer and Explanation is:
To simplify the problem:
1.5 × 1.5
First, let’s calculate the product of 1.5 and 1.5:
1.5 × 1.5 = 2.25
Explanation:
Multiplying two decimal numbers follows the same basic principles as multiplying whole numbers. However, since there are decimal points involved, we need to account for them properly when calculating the final result.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
- Remove the Decimal Points: To make multiplication simpler, we can initially ignore the decimal points and multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers. 1.5 can be rewritten as 15 (ignoring the decimal). Similarly, 1.5 is also rewritten as 15. So, the multiplication now becomes: 15 × 15 = 225.
- Account for the Decimal Points: After multiplying the numbers without decimals, we need to put the decimal point back in the product. Each original number had one decimal place (the digits after the decimal point). In total, since each number has one decimal place, the final product must have two decimal places. So, we place the decimal two digits from the right in 225, which gives us: 2.25.
Verification:
If you think about it, multiplying 1.5 by 1.5 should give a result slightly greater than 2 because 1.5 is greater than 1. Multiplying two numbers greater than 1 gives a product greater than 1, and closer to 2, the square of 1.5 is 2.25, which confirms our calculation.
Importance in Practical Applications:
This type of multiplication comes up frequently in various fields such as finance, science, and engineering. For example, if you’re calculating areas (e.g., the area of a square with a side length of 1.5 meters), you would use this exact multiplication to find the result.
Thus, the simplified solution to 1.5 × 1.5 is 2.25.