To explain how we can predict the size of the product for the multiplication 0.25 × 50, we can follow these steps:
1. Understand the place value of the numbers:
- 0.25 is a decimal number, where the decimal point is placed after the first digit.
- 50 is a whole number.
2. Analyze the relationship between the numbers:
- 0.25 is less than 1, and 50 is greater than 1.
- When multiplying a number less than 1 (0.25) with a number greater than 1 (50), the product will be less than the larger number (50).
3. Predict the size of the product:
- To predict the size of the product, we can look at the place value of the numbers.
- 0.25 has two decimal places, and 50 has two whole number places.
- When multiplying these two numbers, the product will have the same total number of places as the sum of the places in the original numbers.
- In this case, the product will have 2 + 2 = 4 places, with the decimal point placed after the second digit.
4. Perform the multiplication:
- 0.25 × 50 = 12.5
Therefore, the size of the product for the multiplication 0.25 × 50 is 12.5, which has four places, with the decimal point placed after the second digit.
This prediction is based on the understanding of place value and the relationship between the numbers being multiplied. By analyzing the characteristics of the numbers, we can anticipate the size and placement of the decimal point in the final product.
