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Study Guides > Prealgebra

Dividing Whole Numbers

Learning Outcomes

  • Divide whole numbers and check the answer using multiplication
  • Identify and apply the division properties of one
  • Identify and apply the division properties of zero
  • Use the long division algorithm to divide multiple-digit numbers
  • Identify the divisor, dividend, and remainder in a division problem

Divide Whole Numbers

We said that addition and subtraction are inverse operations because one undoes the other. Similarly, division is the inverse operation of multiplication. We know [latex]12\div 4=3[/latex] because [latex]3\cdot 4=12[/latex]. Knowing all the multiplication number facts is very important when doing division. We check our answer to division by multiplying the quotient by the divisor to determine if it equals the dividend. We know [latex]24\div 8=3[/latex] is correct because [latex]3\cdot 8=24[/latex].

example

Divide. Then check by multiplying.
  1. [latex]42\div 6[/latex]
  2. [latex]\frac{72}{9}[/latex]
  3. [latex]7\overline{)63}[/latex]
Solution:
1.
[latex]42\div 6[/latex]
Divide [latex]42[/latex] by [latex]6[/latex]. [latex]7[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]7\cdot 6[/latex]
[latex]42\quad\checkmark [/latex]
2.
[latex]\frac{72}{9}[/latex]
Divide [latex]72[/latex] by [latex]9[/latex]. [latex]8[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]8\cdot 9[/latex]
[latex]72\quad\checkmark [/latex]
3.
[latex]7\overline{)63}[/latex]
Divide [latex]63[/latex] by [latex]7[/latex]. [latex]9[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]9\cdot 7[/latex]
[latex]63\quad\checkmark [/latex]
    What is the quotient when you divide a number by itself?

[latex]\frac{15}{15}=1\text{ because }1\cdot 15=15[/latex]

Dividing any number [latex]\text{(except 0)}[/latex] by itself produces a quotient of [latex]1[/latex]. Also, any number divided by [latex]1[/latex] produces a quotient of the number. These two ideas are stated in the Division Properties of One.

Division Properties of One

Any number (except 0) divided by itself is one. [latex]a\div a=1[/latex]
Any number divided by one is the same number. [latex]a\div 1=a[/latex]
 

example

Divide. Then check by multiplying:
  1. [latex]11\div 11[/latex]
  2. [latex]\frac{19}{1}[/latex]
  3. [latex]1\overline{)7}[/latex]

Answer: Solution:

1.
[latex]11\div 11[/latex]
A number divided by itself is [latex]1[/latex]. [latex]1[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]1\cdot 11[/latex]
[latex]11\quad\checkmark [/latex]
 
2.
[latex]\frac{19}{1}[/latex]
A number divided by [latex]1[/latex] equals itself. [latex]19[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]19\cdot 1[/latex]
[latex]19\quad\checkmark [/latex]
 
3.
[latex]1\overline{)7}[/latex]
A number divided by [latex]1[/latex] equals itself. [latex]7[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]7\cdot 1[/latex]
[latex]7\quad\checkmark [/latex]

    Suppose we have [latex]\text{\$0}[/latex], and want to divide it among [latex]3[/latex] people. How much would each person get? Each person would get [latex]\text{\$0}[/latex]. Zero divided by any number is [latex]0[/latex]. Now suppose that we want to divide [latex]\text{\$10}[/latex] by [latex]0[/latex]. That means we would want to find a number that we multiply by [latex]0[/latex] to get [latex]10[/latex]. This cannot happen because [latex]0[/latex] times any number is [latex]0[/latex]. Division by zero is said to be undefined. These two ideas make up the Division Properties of Zero.

Division Properties of Zero

Zero divided by any number is [latex]0[/latex]. [latex]0\div a=0[/latex]
Dividing a number by zero is undefined. [latex]a\div 0[/latex] undefined
  Another way to explain why division by zero is undefined is to remember that division is really repeated subtraction. How many times can we take away [latex]0[/latex] from [latex]10?[/latex] Because subtracting [latex]0[/latex] will never change the total, we will never get an answer. So we cannot divide a number by [latex]0[/latex].

example

Divide. Check by multiplying:
  1. [latex]0\div 3[/latex]
  2. [latex]\frac{10}{0}[/latex].

Answer: Solution

1.
[latex]0\div 3[/latex]
Zero divided by any number is zero. [latex]0[/latex]
Check by multiplying. [latex]0\cdot 3[/latex]
[latex]0\quad\checkmark [/latex]
 
2.
[latex]10/0[/latex]
Division by zero is undefined. undefined

 

try it

Divide. Then check by multiplying:
  When the divisor or the dividend has more than one digit, it is usually easier to use the [latex]4\overline{)12}[/latex] notation. This process is called long division. Let’s work through the process by dividing [latex]78[/latex] by [latex]3[/latex].
Divide the first digit of the dividend, [latex]7[/latex], by the divisor, [latex]3[/latex].
The divisor [latex]3[/latex] can go into [latex]7[/latex] two times since [latex]2\times 3=6[/latex] . Write the [latex]2[/latex] above the [latex]7[/latex] in the quotient. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-02.png
Multiply the [latex]2[/latex] in the quotient by [latex]2[/latex] and write the product, [latex]6[/latex], under the[latex]7[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-03.png
Subtract that product from the first digit in the dividend. Subtract [latex]7 - 6[/latex] . Write the difference, 1, under the first digit in the dividend. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-04.png
Bring down the next digit of the dividend. Bring down the [latex]8[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-05.png
Divide [latex]18[/latex] by the divisor, [latex]3[/latex]. The divisor [latex]3[/latex] goes into [latex]18[/latex] six times. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-06.png
Write [latex]6[/latex] in the quotient above the [latex]8[/latex].
Multiply the [latex]6[/latex] in the quotient by the divisor and write the product, [latex]18[/latex], under the dividend. Subtract [latex]18[/latex] from [latex]18[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_043_img-07.png
We would repeat the process until there are no more digits in the dividend to bring down. In this problem, there are no more digits to bring down, so the division is finished.

[latex]\text{So }78\div 3=26[/latex].

Check by multiplying the quotient times the divisor to get the dividend. Multiply [latex]26\times 3[/latex] to make sure that product equals the dividend, [latex]78[/latex].

[latex]\begin{array}{c}\hfill \stackrel{1}{2}6\\ \hfill \underset{\text{___}}{\times 3}\\ \hfill 78 \end{array}[/latex]

It does, so our answer is correct. [latex]\checkmark[/latex]

Divide whole numbers

  1. Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor.If the divisor is larger than the first digit of the dividend, divide the first two digits of the dividend by the divisor, and so on.
  2. Write the quotient above the dividend.
  3. Multiply the quotient by the divisor and write the product under the dividend.
  4. Subtract that product from the dividend.
  5. Bring down the next digit of the dividend.
  6. Repeat from Step 1 until there are no more digits in the dividend to bring down.
  7. Check by multiplying the quotient times the divisor.
In the video below we show another example of using long division. https://youtu.be/KvVhaB5mqr8

example

Divide [latex]2,596\div 4[/latex]. Check by multiplying:

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-01.png
Divide the first digit of the dividend, [latex]2[/latex], by the divisor, [latex]4[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-02.png
Since [latex]4[/latex] does not go into [latex]2[/latex], we use the first two digits of the dividend and divide [latex]25[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex]. The divisor [latex]4[/latex] goes into [latex]25[/latex] six times.
We write the [latex]6[/latex] in the quotient above the [latex]5[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-03.png
Multiply the [latex]6[/latex]in the quotient by the divisor [latex]4[/latex] and write the product, [latex]24[/latex], under the first two digits in the dividend. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-04.png
Subtract that product from the first two digits in the dividend. Subtract [latex]25 - 24[/latex] . Write the difference, [latex]1[/latex], under the second digit in the dividend. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-05.png
Now bring down the [latex]9[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]4[/latex] fours in [latex]19[/latex]. Write the [latex]4[/latex] over the [latex]9[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]4[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]19[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-06.png
Bring down the [latex]6[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]9[/latex] fours in [latex]36[/latex]. Write the [latex]9[/latex] over the [latex]6[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]9[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]36[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-07.png
So [latex]2,596\div 4=649[/latex] .
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_044_img-08.png
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.

   

example

Divide [latex]4,506\div 6[/latex]. Check by multiplying:

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-01.png
First we try to divide [latex]6[/latex] into [latex]4[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-02.png
Since that won't work, we try [latex]6[/latex] into [latex]45[/latex]. There are [latex]7[/latex] sixes in [latex]45[/latex]. We write the [latex]7[/latex] over the [latex]5[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-03.png
Multiply the [latex]7[/latex] by [latex]6[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]45[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-04.png
Now bring down the [latex]0[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]5[/latex] sixes in [latex]30[/latex]. Write the [latex]5[/latex] over the [latex]0[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]5[/latex] by [latex]6[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]30[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-05.png
Now bring down the [latex]6[/latex] and repeat these steps. There is [latex]1[/latex] six in [latex]6[/latex]. Write the [latex]1[/latex] over the [latex]6[/latex]. Multiply [latex]1[/latex] by [latex]6[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]6[/latex] CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-06.png
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_045_img-07.png
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.

   

example

Divide [latex]7,263\div 9[/latex]. Check by multiplying.

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-01.png
First we try to divide [latex]9[/latex] into [latex]7[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-02.png
Since that won't work, we try [latex]9[/latex] into [latex]72[/latex]. There are [latex]8[/latex] nines in [latex]72[/latex]. We write the [latex]8[/latex] over the [latex]2[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-03.png
Multiply the [latex]8[/latex] by [latex]9[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]72[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-04.png
Now bring down the [latex]6[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]0[/latex] nines in [latex]6[/latex]. Write the [latex]0[/latex] over the [latex]6[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]0[/latex] by [latex]9[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]6[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-05.png
Now bring down the [latex]3[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]7[/latex] nines in [latex]63[/latex]. Write the [latex]7[/latex] over the [latex]3[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]7[/latex] by [latex]9[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]63[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-06.png
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_046_img-07.png
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.

  Watch this video for another example of how to use long division to divide a four digit whole number by a two digit whole number. https://youtu.be/V7Korf09iWI So far all the division problems have worked out evenly. For example, if we had [latex]24[/latex] cookies and wanted to make bags of [latex]8[/latex] cookies, we would have [latex]3[/latex] bags. But what if there were [latex]28[/latex] cookies and we wanted to make bags of [latex]8?[/latex] Start with the [latex]28[/latex] cookies. An image of 28 cookies placed at random. Try to put the cookies in groups of eight. An image of 28 cookies. There are 3 circles, each containing 8 cookies, leaving 3 cookies outside the circles. There are [latex]3[/latex] groups of eight cookies, and [latex]4[/latex] cookies left over. We call the [latex]4[/latex] cookies that are left over the remainder and show it by writing R4 next to the [latex]3[/latex]. (The R stands for remainder.) To check this division we multiply [latex]3[/latex] times [latex]8[/latex] to get [latex]24[/latex], and then add the remainder of [latex]4[/latex].

[latex]\begin{array}{c}\hfill 3\\ \hfill \underset{\text{___}}{\times 8}\\ \hfill 24\\ \hfill \underset{\text{___}}{+4}\\ \hfill 28\end{array}[/latex]

example

Divide [latex]1,439\div 4[/latex]. Check by multiplying.

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-01.png
First we try to divide [latex]4[/latex] into [latex]1[/latex]. Since that won't work, we try [latex]4[/latex] into [latex]14[/latex]. There are [latex]3[/latex] fours in [latex]14[/latex]. We write the [latex]3[/latex] over the [latex]4[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-02.png
Multiply the [latex]3[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]14[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-03.png
Now bring down the [latex]3[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]5[/latex] fours in [latex]23[/latex]. Write the [latex]5[/latex] over the [latex]3[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]5[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]23[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-04.png
Now bring down the [latex]9[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]9[/latex] fours in [latex]39[/latex]. Write the [latex]9[/latex] over the [latex]9[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]9[/latex] by [latex]4[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]39[/latex]. There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are done. The remainder is [latex]3[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-05.png
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_047_img-06.png
So [latex]1,439\div 4[/latex] is [latex]359[/latex] with a remainder of [latex]3[/latex]. Our answer is correct.

   

example

Divide and then check by multiplying: [latex]1,461\div 13[/latex].

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. [latex]13\overline{)1,461}[/latex]
First we try to divide [latex]13[/latex] into [latex]1[/latex]. Since that won't work, we try [latex]13[/latex] into [latex]14[/latex]. There is [latex]1[/latex] thirteen in [latex]14[/latex]. We write the [latex]1[/latex] over the [latex]4[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_048_img-02.png
Multiply the [latex]1[/latex] by [latex]13[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]14[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_048_img-03.png
Now bring down the [latex]6[/latex] and repeat these steps. There is [latex]1[/latex] thirteen in [latex]16[/latex]. Write the [latex]1[/latex] over the [latex]6[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]1[/latex] by [latex]13[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]16[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_048_img-04.png
Now bring down the [latex]1[/latex] and repeat these steps. There are [latex]2[/latex] thirteens in [latex]31[/latex]. Write the [latex]2[/latex] over the [latex]1[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]2[/latex] by [latex]13[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]31[/latex]. There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are done. The remainder is [latex]5[/latex]. [latex]1,462\div 13[/latex] is [latex]112[/latex] with a remainder of [latex]5[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_048_img-05.png
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_048_img-06.png
Our answer is correct.

   

example

Divide and check by multiplying: [latex]74,521\div 241[/latex].

Answer: Solution

Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. [latex]241\overline{)74,521}[/latex]
First we try to divide [latex]241[/latex] into [latex]7[/latex]. Since that won’t work, we try [latex]241[/latex] into [latex]74[/latex]. That still won’t work, so we try [latex]241[/latex] into[latex]745[/latex]. Since [latex]2[/latex] divides into [latex]7[/latex] three times, we try [latex]3[/latex]. Since [latex]3\times 241=723[/latex] , we write the [latex]3[/latex] over the [latex]5[/latex] in [latex]745[/latex]. Note that [latex]4[/latex] would be too large because [latex]4\times 241=964[/latex] , which is greater than [latex]745[/latex].
Multiply the [latex]3[/latex] by [latex]241[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]745[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_049_img-02.png
Now bring down the [latex]2[/latex] and repeat these steps. [latex]241[/latex] does not divide into [latex]222[/latex]. We write a [latex]0[/latex] over the [latex]2[/latex] as a placeholder and then continue. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_049_img-03.png
Now bring down the [latex]1[/latex] and repeat these steps. Try [latex]9[/latex]. Since [latex]9\times 241=2,169[/latex] , we write the [latex]9[/latex] over the [latex]1[/latex]. Multiply the [latex]9[/latex] by [latex]241[/latex] and subtract this product from [latex]2,221[/latex]. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_049_img-04.png
There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are finished. The remainder is [latex]52[/latex]. So [latex]74,521\div 241[/latex] is [latex]309[/latex] with a remainder of [latex]52[/latex].
Check by multiplying. CNX_BMath_Figure_01_05_049_img-05.png

  Sometimes it might not be obvious how many times the divisor goes into digits of the dividend. We will have to guess and check numbers to find the greatest number that goes into the digits without exceeding them. Watch the video below for another example of how to use long division to divide whole numbers when there is a remainder. https://youtu.be/UPUcShGCBOs  

Licenses & Attributions

CC licensed content, Shared previously

  • Example: Dividing Whole Numbers without a Remainder. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Ex: Long Division - Two Digit Divided by One Digit (No Remainder). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Example: Dividing Whole Numbers with a Remainder. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Question ID: 144463, 143012, 143012, 144636, 144640, 144643, 144644, 144645. Authored by: Alyson Day. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: IMathAS Community License CC-BY + GPL.

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