Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Division sums
With whole numbers when you multiply, the number gets bigger. When you divide, the
number gets smaller.
There is always a link between division and multiplication sums. Have a look at these three
numbers in division and multiplication sums:
Division and multiplication are opposites or 'inverses'. If you divide by an amount and
then multiply the result by the same amount, you end up back where you started.
When you divide by 10 you move all the digits one place to the right and then numbers
become 10 times smaller. If the number ends with a zero you can simply remove it.
Dividing by 100
When you divide by 100 you move all the digits two place to the right and then
numbers become 100 times smaller. If the number ends with two zeros you simply remove
them.
To learn more about multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1 000 visit the Multiply and
divide by 10, 100 and 1 000 module.
Count the total number of times you subtracted 5. In this question it was 4 times. As the
final number after all the subtractions is 0, the 5 divides into 20 exactly with no remainder.
20 ÷ 5 = 4
You can't subtract another 6 as there is only 1 left, which is less than the divisor 6. This is
the remainder. 6 was subtracted 4 times, but you have a remainder, 1.
25 ÷ 6 = 4 remainder 1
You can also combine this method with using multiples, such as multiples of 10, as a
shortcut.
Short division
Large numbers are difficult to divide, because we don't learn the times tables for them.
This is the traditional way of doing a division sum. You may have tried this method at
school.
But what if the numbers don't divide exactly? This is where you carry numbers.
2 565 ÷ 5 can be written like this:
To work out this sum, divide 5 into 2 565 one digit at a time, starting from the left (with
the digit 2). Put the result of each division on top of the line.
Long division
This is the traditional way of doing long division sums, which you may have been taught at
school. It doesn't look much fun, but it's not so bad. Give it a go.
Spacesaver division
Spacesaver division is long division without all the written bits.
With this method you're doing a division sum, but all the thinking is multiplication and
subtraction! You can use it when dividing by both one digit and two digit numbers.
Have a look at the sum:
22 972 ÷ 4.
22 972 ÷ 4 = 5 743
This method also works when dividing by 2 digit numbers. Have a look at the sum 40 458
÷ 11.
40 458 ÷ 11 = 3 678
Division Glossary
Here are some of the words which will crop up when doing division sums.
Have a look below to see how they can be used in the simple sums 6 ÷ 3 = 2 and 7 ÷ 3.
Divide
If you divide 6 by 3 you get 2.
Divisible
6 is exactly divisible by 3. 7 is not exactly divisible by 3.
Left over
If you divide 7 by 3 the answer is 2 with 1 left over.
Remainder
If you divide 7 by 3 the answer is 2 with 1 remainder.
Share
If you share 6 toffees between 3 people, each person gets 2.
Groups
There are 3 groups of 2 in 6.
Carry
If you write out the sum 2 565 ÷ 5 you have to carry some numbers. In this sum you first
carry the 2 over to the 5. The 5 into 25 goes 5 times exactly. Then 5 into 6 goes once with
1 remainder which you carry over. Then 5 goes into 15 exactly 3 times.
'Written division' tutor notes
This module can be used as a starting point for: learning different methods of
written division.
Students may find it useful to look at the Times tables and Mental division
sections of the site before tackling this module.
Please let us know what you think of this module and the factsheets,
worksheets, quiz and game at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk
If they get 75% or more, they get a bonus game - 'Shoot the Amoebas'
TOP TIP! To see the game completely full screen, press the F11 key on the
keyboard. This takes away the distraction of the top browser bar. To bring the
browser bar back, just press F11 again!
Technical help:
To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':
• Flash
The game in this topic section uses Flash. This is free to download and should only
take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to
your machine.
Find out more.
If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in
the worksheets and factsheets.
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course,
Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any
computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the
web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.
You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our
Help - Technical Information section.
Taking it further:
Here's a suggestion of another place on the web where you might find useful
resources that you can adapt for teaching written division.
• AAA Math - division
An American site containing many pages demonstrating different division skills, with
interactive activities and games.