Maths Library

Multiplying Decimals: Year 6 maths

This topic covers multiplying decimals by whole numbers and other decimals. Students practise tracking decimal places and applying standard written multiplication algorithms.

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What this covers

Multiplying Decimals is taught in Year 6 (age 11 to 12) as a main teaching focus. It sits in the Decimals strand.

Worked example

Calculate 0.4 x 0.12

  1. Multiply ignoring decimals: 4 x 12 = 48
  2. Count total decimal places: 1 + 2 = 3 decimal places
  3. Place decimal point: 0.048

Answer: 0.048

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. 1-digit whole number multiplied by a decimal with 1 decimal place
  2. 2-digit whole number multiplied by a decimal with 1 or 2 decimal places
  3. Two numbers each with 1 decimal place, e.g. 0.4 x 0.7 or 1.2 x 0.3
  4. Multiplying decimals with up to 3 total decimal places, e.g. 2.4 x 0.15
  5. Word problems and multistep calculations involving decimals with up to 4 total decimal places

Common mistakes

  • Adding decimal places instead of multiplying, such as 0.3 x 0.3 = 0.9
  • Aligning decimal points vertically as in addition instead of counting places

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to Australian Curriculum v9. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • AC9M6N05 Add and subtract decimals, and multiply and divide decimals by powers of 10 and one-digit whole numbers.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Multiplying Decimals

Year 6 maths

Qs
6
Marks
12
NameDateScore / 12
1.
0.4 × 7.2 =
[2]
2.
0.4 × 6.6 =
[2]
3.
0.2 × 6.8 =
[2]
4.
0.2 × 2.3 =
[2]
5.
0.4 × 9.4 =
[2]
6.
0.4 × 9.6 =
[2]

Answer key

  1. 2.88Ignore the decimal points: 4 × 72; Then put back 2 decimal places: 2.88
  2. 2.64Ignore the decimal points: 4 × 66; Then put back 2 decimal places: 2.64
  3. 1.36Ignore the decimal points: 2 × 68; Then put back 2 decimal places: 1.36
  4. 0.46Ignore the decimal points: 2 × 23; Then put back 2 decimal places: 0.46
  5. 3.76Ignore the decimal points: 4 × 94; Then put back 2 decimal places: 3.76
  6. 3.84Ignore the decimal points: 4 × 96; Then put back 2 decimal places: 3.84