Power Division
About This Worksheet
This worksheet helps students understand what happens when a number is divided by 10, 100, or 1,000. The main idea is that each digit shifts to a place with a smaller value as the number is divided by a power of ten. For example, 640 becomes 64 when divided by 10. The activity gives students practice with both whole numbers and decimals so they can see that the same place-value rule works in each case.
Curriculum and Grade Alignment
This worksheet is written for fifth-grade math and supports CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NBT.A.2, which focuses on patterns in the number of zeros and the placement of the decimal point when multiplying or dividing by powers of ten. Students should already know basic place value and be able to read decimals before starting this page. The next step after this skill is using powers of ten in more complex decimal multiplication and division problems. This worksheet helps build that foundation by keeping the focus on how the digits change place.
Student Tasks
On this worksheet, students will divide each given number by 10, 100, or 1,000 and write the quotient. They will also identify how many place-value positions the digits shift in each problem. The examples include whole numbers such as 8,200 as well as decimals such as 58.6 and 0.84. At the bottom, students complete a rule explaining how dividing by these powers of ten moves digits to the right.
Common Challenges
A common mistake is moving digits in the wrong direction when dividing. Some students may remember that multiplication makes a number larger but still forget which way the digits should shift on a place-value chart. Others may move only one place even when dividing by 100 or 1,000. Teachers can help by having students count the zeros in the divisor and connect that number to the number of place-value shifts.
Teaching Tips
This page works well after students have practiced multiplying by powers of ten and are ready to compare multiplication with division. A teacher might solve one problem from each divisor together with the class before assigning the rest independently. At home, a parent can ask the child to say the shift before solving, such as “divide by 100, so move two places.” This simple habit can help students slow down and avoid direction mistakes.
Worksheet Features
The worksheet includes twelve division problems with a mix of whole numbers and decimals. Each problem asks for both the quotient and the number of places shifted, so students must think beyond just the final answer. The final rule gives students a chance to summarize what dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000 does to place value. The clean layout also makes the page useful for homework, review, intervention, or independent practice.