Cliff or Evelyn

Cliff worked on the problem 1.8 ÷ 0.3 and decided the quotient is 6 because 18 ÷ 3 = 6.

Evelyn agrees that there is a relationship between  and .  However, she says that since 1.8 was changed to 18 and 0.3 was changed to 3, the answer is 0.6 not 6. She argues this is true because when she multiplies decimals she switches them to whole numbers and then switches them back to decimals.

Who is right? Why?

Using this method of converting to whole numbers, explain how to find the quotient of 1.25 ÷ 0.5.

Finally, come up with a story problem for 1.25 ÷ 0.5. Modify the story problem so that it retains its same meaning but becomes a story problem for 12.5 ÷ 5 or 125 ÷ 50.

In loving memory of Clifford Frederick Pierce, Sr.