Basic Division Facts
Objective
Know how how to divide any number less than 144 by any number less than 12.
Example
48 ÷ 8 =
Answer: 6
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Explanation
To divide is to take a number and share it with equal sized groups.
Division comes up in most topics of in math. Because division is the opposite of multiplication, memorizing the entire times table will make homework and tests much easier.
Mathematicians have named the parts of a division problem to make it easier to discuss.
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Examples
There are many ways to do division. Here are three.
Way 1: Repeated Addition
Add the divisor with itself again and again until you reach the dividend
Count how many times you had to add. This number is your quotient
Example 1
15 ÷ 3 =
1. 0 + 3 = 3
2. 3 + 3 = 6
3. 6 + 3 = 9
4. 9 + 3 = 12
5. 12 + 3 = 15 <===== aha!
We added 5 times, so 5 is our answer.
Answer: 5
Example 2
48 ÷ 8 =
1. 0 + 8 = 8
2. 8 + 8 = 16
3. 16 + 8 = 24
4. 24 + 8 = 32
5. 32 + 8 = 40
6. 40 + 8 = 48 <===== aha!
We added 6 times, so 6 is our answer.
Answer: 6
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Way 2: Repeated Subtraction
Subtract the divisor from the dividend again and again until you reach 0.
Count how many times you had to subtract. This number is your quotient.
Example 3
15 ÷ 3 =
1. 15 - 3 = 12
2. 12 - 3 = 9
3. 9 - 3 = 6
4. 6 - 3 = 3
5. 3 - 3 = 0 <===== aha!
We subtract 5 times, so 5 is our answer.
Answer: 5
Example 4
48 ÷ 8 =
1. 48 - 8 = 40
2. 40 - 8 = 32
3. 32 - 8 = 24
4. 24 - 8 = 16
5. 16 - 8 = 8
6. 8 - 8 = 0 <===== aha!
We subtract 6 times, so 6 is our answer.
Answer: 6
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Way 3: Inverse of Multiplication
If you've learned the times table, congratulations, you've also learned everything you need for division.
Division is the inverse of multiplication. If you can figure out the missing number, it will be your answer. This is the easiest way to do division.
Example 5
15 ÷ 3 = ?
change to multiplication
3 x ? = 15
3 times what equals 15? Well, 3 times 5 equals 15. So 5 is our answer.
3 x 5= 15
Answer: 5
Example 6
48 ÷ 8 =
8 x ? = 48
8 x 6 = 48
Answer: 6
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Practice your skills
Ready?