Placing the Decimal Point in the Product

Sam and his father are building a birdhouse and need to calculate the wood required for its walls. Sam initially multiplies incorrectly, resulting in confusion about decimal placement. The video explains two strategies to correctly place the decimal: estimation and counting digits. Estimation involves rounding numbers to simplify calculations, while counting digits involves identifying the total digits to the right of the decimal in both factors. Both methods lead to the correct result of 27 inches of wood needed. The lesson concludes by summarizing these strategies for accurate decimal placement.

What mistake did Sam initially make when calculating the wood needed for the birdhouse?

• He forgot to include the roof in his calculations.

• He used the wrong units of measurement.

• He treated the decimal numbers as whole numbers.

• He added the lengths instead of multiplying.

Why is estimation useful when placing the decimal point in a product?

• It ensures the product is always less than 10.

• It provides a rough idea of where the decimal should be placed.

• It allows you to ignore the decimal point completely.

• It helps to check if the product is a whole number.

What was the estimated product of 6.75 and 4 using estimation?

• 30

• 28

• 26

• 27

How many digits should be to the right of the decimal point in the product of 6.75 and 4?

• One

• Three

• None

• Two

What is the final correct product of 6.75 and 4?

• 27

• 2.7

• 270

• 27.0