What is a division?

Definition

Division is the operation that allows a quantity to be placed into equal groups.

In a division, the dividend is the number being divided and the divisor is the number that divides. The quotient is the division’s answer.

Example

To learn what the “÷” and “=” symbols mean, read the Lexicon of Mathematical Symbols concept sheet.

How do you divide numbers using objects or drawings?

Several types of objects can be used to represent numbers. For example, tokens, cubes, or base 10 materials can help in the calculations.

Example

27 ÷ 3 = ?

I determine the number of groups to form and then place an object in each group. The division 27 ÷ 3 means that I am dividing the objects into 3 equal groups.
I restart until I have shared all 27 items, and then I count how many objects are placed in each group. I placed 9 objects in each group.

27 ÷ 3 = 9

Example

364 ÷ 2 = ?

I determine the number of groups to form and place the same amount of hundreds, tens, and ones in each group. The division 364 ÷ 2 means that I am dividing 364 into 2 equal groups.
JI count the number of hundreds, tens, and ones placed in each group. I have 1 hundred, 8 tens, and 2 ones in each group.

364 ÷ 2 = 182

Be careful!

Remember that a hundred can be separated into 10 tens, and a ten can be separated into 10 ones.

614 ÷ 2 = ?

First, I place the divisor to the left of the division bracket.
I divide the first number of the dividend. I ask myself how many times 2 goes into 6. 2 goes 3 times into 6, since 2 × 3 = 6. I write 3 above the division bracket and 6 under the 6 of the dividend. Finally, I perform a subtraction. 6 - 6 = 0
I bring down the next number of the dividend and place it to the right of the subtraction’s answer.
I ask myself how many times 2 goes into 1. 2 does not go into 1 evenly. I write 0 on top of the division bracket as well as under the 1 of the subtraction. I perform a subtraction. 1 - 0 = 1
I bring down the next digit (4) and continue the division using the number 14. 2 goes 7 times into 14, since 2 × 7 = 14. Next, I write 7 above the division bracket and 14 under 14. I perform a subtraction. 14 - 14 = 0 The division is complete since the result of the subtraction is 0 and there is no digit left to bring down.