Solve Decimal Addition: 131.2 + 312.522 Step-by-Step

Decimal Addition with Different Place Values

Solve the following exercise:

131.2+312.522

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 Place 0 in the appropriate positions
00:07 Connect accordingly, and place
00:20 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following exercise:

131.2+312.522

2

Step-by-step solution

To avoid confusion in solving the exercise, we will first add two zeros to the number 131.2 as follows:

131.200+312.522 131.200\\+312.522\\

Now let's solve the exercise in order:

Let's connect the thousandths after the decimal point:

0+2=2 0+2=2

Let's connect the hundredths after the decimal point:

0+2=2 0+2=2

Let's connect the tenths after the decimal point:

2+5=7 2+5=7

Finally, let's connect the whole numbers before the decimal point accordingly:

1+2=3 1+2=3

3+1=4 3+1=4

1+3=4 1+3=4

And we obtain the following:

131.200+312.522443.722 131.200\\+312.522\\443.722

3

Final Answer

443.722

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Alignment: Line up decimal points to match place values correctly
  • Technique: Add zeros to 131.2 making it 131.200 for alignment
  • Check: Verify each column adds correctly: 0+2=2, 0+2=2, 2+5=7 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Adding decimals without proper alignment
    Don't just line up the right edges like 131.2 + 312.522 = 443.722! This ignores place values and gives wrong totals. Always align decimal points vertically first, then add zeros as needed to match decimal places.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Choose the correct writing form:

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I need to add zeros to 131.2?

+

Adding zeros like 131.200 helps you see each place value clearly! The zeros don't change the number's value, but they make it easier to add column by column without missing any digits.

What if the numbers have different amounts of decimal places?

+

Always extend the shorter decimal with zeros until both numbers have the same number of decimal places. This prevents place value confusion during addition.

Do I start adding from left to right or right to left?

+

Start from the rightmost column (thousandths) and work left, just like with whole numbers. This way you can handle any carrying that might be needed.

How do I know where to put the decimal point in my answer?

+

The decimal point in your answer goes in the same column as the decimal points in the problem. Since they're aligned, your answer's decimal point lines up too!

What if I forget to align the decimal points?

+

You'll get the wrong answer! For example, treating this as 1312 + 312522 would give a completely different result. Always double-check your decimal point alignment.

Can I check my work somehow?

+

Yes! Use estimation: 131 + 313 ≈ 444, so 443.722 makes sense. You can also add the numbers in reverse order to verify you get the same result.

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Decimal Fractions - Advanced questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime

More Questions

Click on any question to see the complete solution with step-by-step explanations