Division
Division is splitting a number into equal groups or finding how many times one number fits into another. It is the inverse of multiplication.
Division Formula
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient (remainder R)
Check: Quotient × Divisor + Remainder = Dividend.
Concept Explanation
In division, the number being divided is the dividend, the number you divide by is the divisor, and the result is the quotient.
Division is the opposite of multiplication. If 4 × 6 = 24, then 24 ÷ 6 = 4 and 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
Sometimes division does not come out evenly. The amount left over is called the remainder. For example, 17 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 2.
Word problems use division when you see clue words like: "share equally," "split," "each person gets," "how many groups," "per," or "divide."
Worked Examples
Think of the related multiplication fact
8 × ? = 56.
Recall
8 × 7 = 56.
Answer
56 ÷ 8 = 7.
Answer: 7
Key Terms
Dividend
The number being divided. In 20 ÷ 4, the dividend is 20.
Divisor
The number you divide by. In 20 ÷ 4, the divisor is 4.
Quotient
The result of division. 20 ÷ 4 = 5, so 5 is the quotient.
Remainder
The amount left over when a number cannot be divided evenly.
Inverse Operation
Division and multiplication are inverse operations: 3 × 7 = 21, so 21 ÷ 7 = 3.
About This Topic
You just studied
Division