<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
This module is from Fundamentals of Mathematics by Denny Burzynski and Wade Ellis, Jr. This module discusses how to divide whole numbers. By the end of the module students should be able to be able to divide a whole number by a single or multiple digit divisor and interpret a calculator statement that a division results in a remainder.

Section overview

  • Division with a Single Digit Divisor
  • Division with a Multiple Digit Divisor
  • Division with a Remainder
  • Calculators

Division with a single digit divisor

Our experience with multiplication of whole numbers allows us to perform such divisions as 75 ÷ 5 size 12{"75" div 5} {} . We perform the division by performing the corresponding multiplication, 5 × Q = 75 size 12{5 times Q="75"} {} . Each division we considered in [link] had a one-digit quotient. Now we will consider divisions in which the quotient may consist of two or more digits. For example, 75 ÷ 5 size 12{"75" div 5} {} .

Let's examine the division 75 ÷ 5 size 12{"75" div 5} {} . We are asked to determine how many 5's are contained in 75. We'll approach the problem in the following way.

  1. Make an educated guess based on experience with multiplication.
  2. Find how close the estimate is by multiplying the estimate by 5.
  3. If the product obtained in step 2 is less than 75, find out how much less by subtracting it from 75.
  4. If the product obtained in step 2 is greater than 75, decrease the estimate until the product is less than 75. Decreasing the estimate makes sense because we do not wish to exceed 75.

We can suggest from this discussion that the process of division consists of

    The four steps in division

  1. an educated guess
  2. a multiplication
  3. a subtraction
  4. bringing down the next digit (if necessary)

The educated guess can be made by determining how many times the divisor is contained in the dividend by using only one or two digits of the dividend.

Sample set a

Find 75 ÷ 5 size 12{"75" div 5} {} .

5 75 Rewrite the problem using a division bracket.

10 5 75
Make an educated guess by noting that one 5 is contained in 75 at most 10 times.
Since 7 is the tens digit, we estimate that 5 goes into 75 at most 10 times.

10 5 75 - 50 ̲ 25
Now determine how close the estimate is.
10 fives is 10 × 5 = 50 size 12{"10" times 5="50"} {} . Subtract 50 from 75.
Estimate the number of 5's in 25.
There are exactly 5 fives in 25.

5 10 10 fives + 5 fives = 15 fives. There are 15 fives contained in 75. 5 75 - 50 ̲ 25 - 25 ̲ 0

Check: Is 75 equal to 15 times 5? Yes.

Thus, 75 ÷ 5 = 15 size 12{"75" div 5="15"} {} .

The notation in this division can be shortened by writing.

15 5 75 - 5↓ ̲ 25 - 25 ̲ 0
Divide: 5 goes into 7 at most 1 time. Multiply: 1 × 5 = 5. Write 5 below 7. Subtract: 7 - 5 = 2. Bring down the 5. Divide: 5 goes into 25 exactly 5 times. Multiply: 5 × 5 = 25. Write 25 below 25. Subtract: 25 - 25 = 0.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Find 4, 944 ÷ 8 size 12{4,"944" div 8} {} .

8 4944
Rewrite the problem using a division bracket.

600 8 4944 - 4800 ̲ 144
8 goes into 49 at most 6 times, and 9 is in the hundreds column. We'll guess 600.
Then, 8 × 600 = 4800 size 12{8 times "600"="4800"} {} .

10 600 8 4944 - 4800 ̲ 144 -   80 ̲ 64
8 goes into 14 at most 1 time, and 4 is in the tens column. We'll guess 10.

8 10 600 8 4944 - 4800 ̲ 144 -   80 ̲ 64 - 64 ̲ 0

8 goes into 64 exactly 8 times.
600 eights + 10 eights + 8 eights = 618 eights.

Check: Is 4944 equal to 8 times 18? Yes.

Thus, 4, 944 ÷ 8 = 618 size 12{4,"944" div 8="618"} {} .

As in the first problem, the notation in this division can be shortened by eliminating the subtraction signs and the zeros in each educated guess.

Long division. 4944 divided by 8. After each educated guess, the digit to the right is brought down to the next line.
Divide: 8 goes into 49 at most 6 times. Multiply: 6 × 8 = 48. Write 48 below 49. Subtract: 49 - 48 = 1. Bring down the 4. Divide: 8 goes into 14 at most 1 time. Multiply: 1 × 8 = 8. Write 8 below 14. Subtract: 14 - 8 = 6. Bring down the 4. Divide: 8 goes into 64 exactly 8 times. Multiply: 8 × 8 = 64. Write 64 below 64. Subtract: 64 - 64 = 0.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

Discuss the differences between taste and flavor, including how other sensory inputs contribute to our  perception of flavor.
John Reply
taste refers to your understanding of the flavor . while flavor one The other hand is refers to sort of just a blend things.
Faith
While taste primarily relies on our taste buds, flavor involves a complex interplay between taste and aroma
Kamara
which drugs can we use for ulcers
Ummi Reply
omeprazole
Kamara
what
Renee
what is this
Renee
is a drug
Kamara
of anti-ulcer
Kamara
Omeprazole Cimetidine / Tagament For the complicated once ulcer - kit
Patrick
what is the function of lymphatic system
Nency Reply
Not really sure
Eli
to drain extracellular fluid all over the body.
asegid
The lymphatic system plays several crucial roles in the human body, functioning as a key component of the immune system and contributing to the maintenance of fluid balance. Its main functions include: 1. Immune Response: The lymphatic system produces and transports lymphocytes, which are a type of
asegid
to transport fluids fats proteins and lymphocytes to the blood stream as lymph
Adama
what is anatomy
Oyindarmola Reply
Anatomy is the identification and description of the structures of living things
Kamara
what's the difference between anatomy and physiology
Oyerinde Reply
Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body, while physiology is the study of the function of the body. Anatomy looks at the body's organs and systems, while physiology looks at how those organs and systems work together to keep the body functioning.
AI-Robot
what is enzymes all about?
Mohammed Reply
Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. Enzymes are essential for digestion, liver function and much more. Too much or too little of a certain enzyme can cause health problems
Kamara
yes
Prince
how does the stomach protect itself from the damaging effects of HCl
Wulku Reply
little girl okay how does the stomach protect itself from the damaging effect of HCL
Wulku
it is because of the enzyme that the stomach produce that help the stomach from the damaging effect of HCL
Kamara
function of digestive system
Ali Reply
function of digestive
Ali
the diagram of the lungs
Adaeze Reply
what is the normal body temperature
Diya Reply
37 degrees selcius
Xolo
37°c
Stephanie
please why 37 degree selcius normal temperature
Mark
36.5
Simon
37°c
Iyogho
the normal temperature is 37°c or 98.6 °Fahrenheit is important for maintaining the homeostasis in the body the body regular this temperature through the process called thermoregulation which involves brain skin muscle and other organ working together to maintain stable internal temperature
Stephanie
37A c
Wulku
what is anaemia
Diya Reply
anaemia is the decrease in RBC count hemoglobin count and PVC count
Eniola
what is the pH of the vagina
Diya Reply
how does Lysin attack pathogens
Diya
acid
Mary
I information on anatomy position and digestive system and there enzyme
Elisha Reply
anatomy of the female external genitalia
Muhammad Reply
Organ Systems Of The Human Body (Continued) Organ Systems Of The Human Body (Continued)
Theophilus Reply
what's lochia albra
Kizito
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Fundamentals of mathematics. OpenStax CNX. Aug 18, 2010 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10615/1.4
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Fundamentals of mathematics' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask