Decimal Shift Lab Worksheet
Decimal Division Lab
6th Grade Intervention • The House Rule & Decimal Shifts
Name: Date:
Rule 1: The "House Rule" Setup
In A ÷ B:
B (outside) ) A (INSIDE the house!)
⭐ The first number in line always sleeps inside!
Rule 2: The "Equal Shifts" Rule
1. Shift outside number right until whole.
2. Shift inside number the same hops!
⭐ Never divide by a decimal! Make outside whole first.
Part 1
Worked Model — Solving \(4.8 \div 0.3\) in 3 Simple Steps
Easy 3-Step Flow
Step 1: House
Put the first number inside:
0.3 ) 4.8
4.8 is first → goes inside!
Step 2: Hop
Hop both dots 1 space right:
3 ) 48
Outside is now a whole number!
Step 3: Divide
Divide like normal whole numbers:
Quotient = 16
48 ÷ 3 = 16
Final Answer: 16
Part 2
Guided Practice — Try the 3 Steps
First number goes inside!
1. Divide: 7.2 ÷ 0.6 7.2 inside
Step 1 & 2: Hop 1 space right: 72 ÷ 6
Step 3: Set up house: 6 ) 72
Division Space:
Final Quotient =
2. Divide: 8.45 ÷ 0.5 8.45 inside
Step 1 & 2: Hop 1 space right: 84.5 ÷ 5
Step 3: Set up house: 5 ) 84.5
Division Space:
Final Quotient =
House Rule: In \(A \div B\), the first number \(A\) always goes inside the division house! Page 1 of 2
Decimal Division Practice
Shift divisor until whole, shift dividend equally, float point straight up!
First # Inside House
3. Divide: 5.6 ÷ 0.7 Inside: 5.6
Quotient:
4. Divide: 12.4 ÷ 0.4 Inside: 12.4
Quotient:
5. Divide: 15.75 ÷ 0.5 Independent
Quotient:
6. Divide: 6.48 ÷ 1.2 Independent
Quotient:
7. Divide: 3.6 ÷ 0.09 Shift 2 hops!
Quotient:
8. Divide: 18.6 ÷ 3 Float point up
Quotient:
Lab Application
9. The Chemistry Solution Challenge
Dr. Ellis prepares salt solutions in the chemistry laboratory. Use decimal division to solve both lab tasks:
Part A (Equal Batches):
Dr. Ellis has 4.8 liters of blue solution. Each beaker takes 0.6 liters. How many beakers can she fill?
Answer:
Part B (Micro-Vials):
She has 7.5 liters of green solution. Each vial holds 0.25 liters. How many vials can she fill?
Answer:
Confidence Rating: (Color 1, 2, or 3 stars)
Page 2 of 2
Decimal Shift Lab Answer Key
Answer Key & Teacher Guide
Teacher Reference
Decimal Shift Lab • 6th Grade Decimal Division Intervention
Target: Fluent Decimal Division
Part 1 Flow: House → Hop → Divide
Pedagogical Key: Diagnostic Tips for Decimal Division
The "House Rule" Trap:
Students often place the smaller number outside automatically. Reinforce: "First number in the problem ALWAYS goes inside the house!" In \(7.2 \div 0.6\), \(7.2\) must be inside.
The Equal Shift Anchor:
Remind students we multiply both divisor and dividend by powers of 10. If the divisor shifts 1 spot, the dividend must shift 1 spot. Never divide until the outside number is a whole integer!
Part 1 Walkthrough Notes (\(4.8 \div 0.3 = \mathbf{16}\)) Quotient = 16
Step 1: House
0.3 ) 4.8
First number (4.8) goes inside.
Step 2: Hop
3 ) 48
Hop both dots 1 space right.
Step 3: Divide
48 ÷ 3 = 16
Normal whole division!
Part 2 Keys
Guided Practice Solutions & Complete Work
1. Divide: 7.2 ÷ 0.6 Solution
Step 1 & 2: Hop 1 space right: 72 ÷ 6
Step 3: House setup: 6 ) 72 (72 inside!)
6 ) 72
• 6 into 7 = 1 time (remainder 1).
• Bring down 2 → 12.
• 6 into 12 = 2 times (remainder 0).
Final Quotient: 12
2. Divide: 8.45 ÷ 0.5 Solution
Step 1 & 2: Hop 1 space right: 84.5 ÷ 5
Step 3: House setup: 5 ) 84.5 (84.5 inside!)
5 ) 84.5
• 5 into 8 = 1 time (rem 3); bring down 4 → 34.
• 5 into 34 = 6 times (rem 4); float up decimal.
• Bring down 5 → 45; 5 into 45 = 9 times.
Final Quotient: 16.9
Decimal Shift Lab • Teacher Reference & Key Page 1 of 2
Decimal Division Solutions (Problems 3 to 8)
Complete solutions with shift setups and whole number conversions.
Answer Key • Page 2
3. Divide: 5.6 ÷ 0.7 = 8
Shift: 1 hop right (\(\times 10\))
New setup: 56 ÷ 7 (56 goes inside!)
Quotient: 8
Check: \(8 \times 0.7 = 5.6\) ✓
4. Divide: 12.4 ÷ 0.4 = 31
Shift: 1 hop right (\(\times 10\))
New setup: 124 ÷ 4 (124 goes inside!)
Quotient: 31
Check: \(31 \times 0.4 = 12.4\) ✓
5. Divide: 15.75 ÷ 0.5 = 31.5
Shift: 1 hop right (\(\times 10\)) → 157.5 ÷ 5
