Dividing whole numbers by 10 and 100

​​In a nutshell

Dividing one or two digit numbers by $$10$$ or $$100$$ involves moving place values once or twice to the right respectively. This can be done using a place value table or a decimal point. 

Dividing by 10

To divide a number by $$10$$, move the digits of the number one place value to the right. 

Example 1

Calculate $$70 \div 10$$.

Rewrite $$70$$ in a place value table using zeros as placeholders. 

When dividing by $$10$$, move the digits one place value to the right. 

​$$\underline{70\div 10 = 7.}$$​​

Note: You do not have to draw a place value table but they are helpful to show the process of dividing by $$10$$ or $$100$$​.

Dividing by 100

To divide a number by $$100$$, move the digits of the number two place values to the right. 

Example 2

Calculate $$23 \div 100$$.

Rewrite $$23$$ with a decimal point using zeros as a placeholder. 

$$23 = 23.00$$

To divide by $$100$$, move the digits two place values to the right. This is the same as moving the decimal point two spaces to the left.

​$$\overset{\curvearrowleft \curvearrowleft}{23}.00 \rightarrow 0.2300 = 0.23$$

$$\underline{23 \div 100 = 0.23.}$$

Note: Zeros at the very end of a number, after the decimal point, are placeholders. They can be removed once you are done with the calculation.