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Add $$23.5 + 41.38$$ using the decimal addition procedure:

1. **Align the decimal points** — write $$23.5$$ above $$41.38$$ so that both decimal points line up vertically.
2. **Insert a placeholder zero** — the number $$23.5$$ has only one decimal digit while $$41.38$$ has two, so append a zero to get $$23.50$$. This is valid because $$\frac{5}{10} = \frac{50}{100}$$, meaning $$0.5 = 0.50$$.
3. **Add as whole numbers and place the decimal point** — add $$2350 + 4138 = 6488$$, then position the decimal point below the aligned decimal points to obtain $$64.88$$.

The result is $$23.5 + 41.38 = 64.88$$.

Adding 23.5 + 41.38

An employee is reconciling an expense report that includes two taxi receipts: one for $23.5 and another for $41.38. Using the standard decimal addition procedure, calculate the total cost of these receipts and identify the specific placeholder digit that must be added to 23.5 to ensure the decimal points are correctly aligned.

Calculating Total Travel Expenses

An administrative supervisor is training a new hire on how to manually reconcile petty cash vouchers. The hire needs to add two specific amounts: $23.5 and $41.38. Describe the standard three-step procedure for adding these two decimal values. In your response, specifically explain how to align the numbers, what adjustment must be made to the number 23.5 to ensure place-value consistency, and where the decimal point is positioned in the final sum.

Standard Procedure for Manual Expense Reconciliation

Add: $$23.5 + 41.38$$

To add $$23.5 + 41.38$$, first write $$23.5$$ as $$23.50$$. Which whole-number addition matches this step?

$$0.5$$ is equal to $$0.50$$.

Put these steps in order to find $$23.5 + 41.38$$.

To align decimal places with $$41.38$$, rewrite $$23.5$$ as _____.

Match each step for adding $$23.5+41.38$$.

In $$23.50 + 41.38$$, which digit lines up with the $$0$$?

Case context:
Align the decimal points and use a placeholder zero.

Question:
Write $$23.5$$ with two decimal digits. Then find $$23.5 + 41.38$$.

Sample answer:
$$23.5 = 23.50$$, so $$23.50 + 41.38 = 64.88$$.

Key points:
- A placeholder zero does not change the value.
- $$23.5$$ becomes $$23.50$$.
- The sum is $$64.88$$.

Rubric:
Full credit for writing $$23.50$$ and finding the sum $$64.88$$. Partial credit for one correct result.

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