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Method

Long Division of Two Numbers

Long division is a commonly used method for solving division problems that involve breaking down the calculation digit by digit. Consider the the following detailed example.

This division problem can be calculated by long division.

Compare the Dividend and the Divisor

Consider the first digit of the dividend. If the first digit of the dividend is greater than the divisor, begin by dividing the first digit of the dividend by the divisor. In this case, the first digit of the dividend 6 is greater than the divisor 5.

Divide

Consider how many times the divisor fits in the first digit of the dividend. In this case, determine how many times 5 fits in 6. Only one 5 fits in 6. We can then write 1 over the dividend.

Multiply

Multiply 1 by 5. Then write the result under the first digit of the dividend.

Subtract

Subtract 5 from 6.

The remainder of the division of 6 by 5 is 1.

Bring Down the Next Digit

Bring down the second digit of the dividend which is 7 near 1. Then repeat the previous steps until there are no more digits to bring down. See the whole process in the applet.

Applet to compute the division of two numbers

Extra

Further Information

Consider an example of a division in which the first digit of the dividend is less than the divisor. In this case, the division should begin with the first two digits of the dividend.

The remainder of the division of 760 by 9 is 4. Consider another example in which the divisor is a two-digit number. In this case, the division also starts with the first two digits of the dividend.

The same process can be followed for the divisors and dividends with more than two or three digits.

Exercises

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