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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.

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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.

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Questions & Answers

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Source:  OpenStax, Fundamentals of mathematics. OpenStax CNX. Aug 18, 2010 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10615/1.4
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