Division
Equal Sharing & Division Facts
Division means making equal groups. Sharing 24 sweets among 6 children gives 24 ÷ 6 = 4 each. Division can also tell how many groups: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 groups of four.
Every multiplication fact gives a division fact. Since 6 × 4 = 24, we know 24 ÷ 6 = 4 and 24 ÷ 4 = 6. Knowing tables 2 to 10 makes division quick.
- Division makes equal groups or finds the number of groups.
- Each times-table fact gives a division fact.
Dividend, Divisor, Quotient, Remainder
In a division, the number being divided is the dividend, the number we divide by is the divisor, the answer is the quotient, and anything left over is the remainder.
For 47 ÷ 5: 5 × 9 = 45, so the quotient is 9 and the remainder is 2 (because 47 − 45 = 2). The remainder is always smaller than the divisor.
- Dividend ÷ divisor = quotient, with a remainder left over.
- The remainder is always smaller than the divisor.
Dividing Larger Numbers & Checking
To divide a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number, divide each place from the left. For 936 ÷ 3: 9 ÷ 3 = 3, 3 ÷ 3 = 1, 6 ÷ 3 = 2, so the quotient is 312.
We can check division using multiplication: quotient × divisor (+ remainder) should give the dividend. For 936 ÷ 3 = 312, check 312 × 3 = 936.
- Divide place by place from the left.
- Check: quotient × divisor (+ remainder) = dividend.