what is the product of 2.31 and 0.21

elenas club

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13-02-2025

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The product of two numbers is the result you get when you multiply them together. So, the question "What is the product of 2.31 and 0.21?" is simply asking us to multiply 2.31 by 0.21. Let's work through this step-by-step.

Multiplying Decimals: A Simple Method

Multiplying decimals might seem daunting, but it's a straightforward process. We'll break it down into manageable steps:

Step 1: Ignore the Decimal Points

Initially, ignore the decimal points in both numbers. Treat 2.31 and 0.21 as if they were 231 and 21. Now perform a standard multiplication:

   231
x   21
------
   231
 4620
------
 4851

Step 2: Count the Decimal Places

Now, count the total number of digits after the decimal points in both original numbers (2.31 and 0.21).

• 2.31 has two digits after the decimal point.
• 0.21 has two digits after the decimal point.

This gives us a total of 2 + 2 = 4 decimal places.

Step 3: Place the Decimal Point

Take the result from Step 1 (4851) and place the decimal point four places from the right. This gives us:

0.4851

Therefore, the product of 2.31 and 0.21 is $\boxed{0.4851}$

Understanding Decimal Multiplication

This method works because multiplying by powers of 10 (like 10, 100, 1000) simply shifts the decimal point to the right. When we multiplied without the decimal points, we effectively multiplied by 100 (for 2.31) and by 10 (for 0.21). To compensate, we had to move the decimal point back four places.

Alternative Methods: Using a Calculator

For quick calculations, using a calculator is the most efficient approach. Simply enter 2.31, the multiplication symbol (*), 0.21, and the equals symbol (=). The calculator will provide the answer, 0.4851, instantly.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing multiplication problems with decimals is essential to build confidence and improve accuracy. Try working through a few more examples on your own to solidify your understanding.

Conclusion

We've demonstrated how to calculate the product of 2.31 and 0.21, arriving at the answer 0.4851. This involved a step-by-step process of ignoring decimals initially, performing standard multiplication, and then strategically placing the decimal point based on the total number of decimal places in the original numbers. Remember, you can always verify your answer using a calculator.