Product of decimals — correct placement of the decimal point Find the product 3.5413 × 2.1.

Introduction / Context:
Multiplying decimals is straightforward if you handle one factor as an integer temporarily, then place the decimal correctly at the end. This avoids mental arithmetic mistakes with digits after the decimal point.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Compute P = 3.5413 × 2.1.
• No rounding; report the exact product.

Concept / Approach:
Interpret 2.1 as 21/10. Multiply 3.5413 × 21 first, then divide by 10. Alternatively, multiply 3.5413 × 2 and add 0.1 × 3.5413 to close the product.

Step-by-Step Solution:
3.5413 × 21 = 3.5413 × (20 + 1) = 70.826 + 3.5413 = 74.3673.Now divide by 10 (because 21/10): 74.3673 / 10 = 7.43673.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compute 3.5413 × 2 = 7.0826 and add 3.5413 × 0.1 = 0.35413 to get 7.43673.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
7.44673 and 7.53673 shift one digit incorrectly or add an extra carry; “None of these” is wrong because the exact value is provided; 7.46373 is another misplaced-digit variant.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to divide by 10 after multiplying by 21; miscounting decimal places when doing direct digit-by-digit multiplication.

Final Answer:
7.43673