1.6: Divide Whole Numbers
- Page ID
- 114860
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- Use division notation
- Model division of whole numbers
- Divide whole numbers
- Translate word phrases to math notation
- Divide whole numbers in applications
Be Prepared 1.7
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Multiply:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.44.
Be Prepared 1.8
Subtract:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.32
Be Prepared 1.9
Multiply:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.45.
Use Division Notation
So far we have explored addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Now let’s consider division. Suppose you have the
You might put
In other words, starting with the
Instead of subtracting
We read this as twelve divided by four and the result is the quotient of
In the past you may have used the notation
Operation Symbols for Division
To represent and describe division, we can use symbols and words.
Operation | Notation | Expression | Read as | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Division is performed on two numbers at a time. When translating from math notation to English words, or English words to math notation, look for the words of and and to identify the numbers.
Example 1.56
Translate from math notation to words.
ⓐ
- Answer
- ⓐ We read this as sixty-four divided by eight and the result is the quotient of sixty-four and eight.
- ⓑ We read this as forty-two divided by seven and the result is the quotient of forty-two and seven.
- ⓒ We read this as twenty-eight divided by four and the result is the quotient of twenty-eight and four.
Try It 1.111
Translate from math notation to words:
ⓐ
Try It 1.112
Translate from math notation to words:
ⓐ
Model Division of Whole Numbers
As we did with multiplication, we will model division using counters. The operation of division helps us organize items into equal groups as we start with the number of items in the dividend and subtract the number in the divisor repeatedly.
Manipulative Mathematics
Doing the Manipulative Math Worksheets activity "Model Division of Whole Numbers" will help you develop a better understanding of dividing whole numbers.
Example 1.57
Model the division:
- Answer
To find the quotient
we want to know how many groups of24 ÷ 8 , 24 ÷ 8 , are in8 8 24 . 24 . Model the dividend. Start with
counters.24 24 The divisor tell us the number of counters we want in each group. Form groups of
counters.8 8 Count the number of groups. There are
groups.3 3 24 ÷ 8 = 3 24 ÷ 8 = 3
Try It 1.113
Model:
Try It 1.114
Model:
Divide Whole Numbers
We said that addition and subtraction are inverse operations because one undoes the other. Similarly, division is the inverse operation of multiplication. We know
We check our answer to division by multiplying the quotient by the divisor to determine if it equals the dividend. In Example 1.57, we know
Example 1.58
Divide. Then check by multiplying. ⓐ
- Answer
-
ⓐ 42 ÷ 6 42 ÷ 6 Divide 42 by 6. 7 7 Check by multiplying.
7 · 6 7 · 6 42 ✓ 42 ✓ -
ⓑ 72 9 72 9 Divide 72 by 9. 8 8 Check by multiplying.
8 · 9 8 · 9 72 ✓ 72 ✓
-
ⓒ | |
Divide 63 by 7. | |
Check by multiplying. |
|
Try It 1.115
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
Try It 1.116
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
What is the quotient when you divide a number by itself?
Division Properties of One
Any number (except 0) divided by itself is one. | |
Any number divided by one is the same number. |
Example 1.59
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
- ⓐ
11 ÷ 11 11 ÷ 11 - ⓑ
19 1 19 1 - ⓒ
1 7 1 7
- Answer
-
ⓐ 11 ÷ 11 11 ÷ 11 A number divided by itself is 1. 1 1 Check by multiplying.
1 · 11 1 · 11 11 ✓ 11 ✓ -
ⓑ 19 1 19 1 A number divided by 1 equals itself. 19 19 Check by multiplying.
19 · 1 19 · 1 19 ✓ 19 ✓
-
ⓒ | |
A number divided by 1 equals itself. | |
Check by multiplying. |
|
Try It 1.117
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
Try It 1.118
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
Suppose we have
Now suppose that we want to divide
These two ideas make up the Division Properties of Zero.
Division Properties of Zero
Zero divided by any number is 0. | |
Dividing a number by zero is undefined. |
Another way to explain why division by zero is undefined is to remember that division is really repeated subtraction. How many times can we take away
Example 1.60
Divide. Check by multiplying: ⓐ
- Answer
-
ⓐ 0 ÷ 3 0 ÷ 3 Zero divided by any number is zero. 0 0 Check by multiplying.
0 · 3 0 · 3 0 ✓ 0 ✓ -
ⓑ 10 / 0 10 / 0 Division by zero is undefined. undefined
-
Try It 1.119
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
Try It 1.120
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
ⓐ
When the divisor or the dividend has more than one digit, it is usually easier to use the
Divide the first digit of the dividend, 7, by the divisor, 3. | |
The divisor 3 can go into 7 two times since |
|
Multiply the 2 in the quotient by 3 and write the product, 6, under the 7. | |
Subtract that product from the first digit in the dividend. Subtract |
|
Bring down the next digit of the dividend. Bring down the 8. | |
Divide 18 by the divisor, 3. The divisor 3 goes into 18 six times. | |
Write 6 in the quotient above the 8. | |
Multiply the 6 in the quotient by the divisor and write the product, 18, under the dividend. Subtract 18 from 18. |
We would repeat the process until there are no more digits in the dividend to bring down. In this problem, there are no more digits to bring down, so the division is finished.
Check by multiplying the quotient times the divisor to get the dividend. Multiply
It does, so our answer is correct.
How To
Divide whole numbers.
- Step 1. Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor.
If the divisor is larger than the first digit of the dividend, divide the first two digits of the dividend by the divisor, and so on. - Step 2. Write the quotient above the dividend.
- Step 3. Multiply the quotient by the divisor and write the product under the dividend.
- Step 4. Subtract that product from the dividend.
- Step 5. Bring down the next digit of the dividend.
- Step 6. Repeat from Step 1 until there are no more digits in the dividend to bring down.
- Step 7. Check by multiplying the quotient times the divisor.
Example 1.61
Divide
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. Divide the first digit of the dividend, 2, by the divisor, 4. Since 4 does not go into 2, we use the first two digits of the dividend and divide 25 by 4. The divisor 4 goes into 25 six times. We write the 6 in the quotient above the 5. Multiply the 6 in the quotient by the divisor 4 and write the product, 24, under the first two digits in the dividend. Subtract that product from the first two digits in the dividend. Subtract . Write the difference, 1, under the second digit in the dividend.25 − 24 25 − 24 Now bring down the 9 and repeat these steps. There are 4 fours in 19. Write the 4 over the 9. Multiply the 4 by 4 and subtract this product from 19. Bring down the 6 and repeat these steps. There are 9 fours in 36. Write the 9 over the 6. Multiply the 9 by 4 and subtract this product from 36. So .2,596 ÷ 4 = 649 2,596 ÷ 4 = 649 Check by multiplying.
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.
Try It 1.121
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.122
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Example 1.62
Divide
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. First we try to divide 6 into 4. Since that won't work, we try 6 into 45.
There are 7 sixes in 45. We write the 7 over the 5.Multiply the 7 by 6 and subtract this product from 45. Now bring down the 0 and repeat these steps. There are 5 sixes in 30.
Write the 5 over the 0. Multiply the 5 by 6 and subtract this product from 30.Now bring down the 6 and repeat these steps. There is 1 six in 6.
Write the 1 over the 6. Multiply 1 by 6 and subtract this product from 6.Check by multiplying.
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.
Try It 1.123
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.124
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Example 1.63
Divide
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. First we try to divide 9 into 7. Since that won't work, we try 9 into 72. There are 8 nines in 72.
We write the 8 over the 2.Multiply the 8 by 9 and subtract this product from 72. Now bring down the 6 and repeat these steps. There are 0 nines in 6.
Write the 0 over the 6. Multiply the 0 by 9 and subtract this product from 6.Now bring down the 3 and repeat these steps. There are 7 nines in 63. Write the 7 over the 3.
Multiply the 7 by 9 and subtract this product from 63.Check by multiplying.
It equals the dividend, so our answer is correct.
Try It 1.125
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.126
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
So far all the division problems have worked out evenly. For example, if we had
Try to put the cookies in groups of eight as in Figure 1.15.
There are
To check this division we multiply
Example 1.64
Divide
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. First we try to divide 4 into 1. Since that won't work, we try 4 into 14.
There are 3 fours in 14. We write the 3 over the 4.Multiply the 3 by 4 and subtract this product from 14. Now bring down the 3 and repeat these steps. There are 5 fours in 23.
Write the 5 over the 3. Multiply the 5 by 4 and subtract this product from 23.Now bring down the 9 and repeat these steps. There are 9 fours in 39.
Write the 9 over the 9. Multiply the 9 by 4 and subtract this product from 39.
There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are done.
The remainder is 3.Check by multiplying.
So
is1,439 ÷ 4 1,439 ÷ 4 with a remainder of359 359 Our answer is correct.3 . 3 .
Try It 1.127
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.128
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Example 1.65
Divide and then check by multiplying:
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. 13 1,461 13 1,461 First we try to divide 13 into 1. Since that won't work, we try 13 into 14.
There is 1 thirteen in 14. We write the 1 over the 4.Multiply the 1 by 13 and subtract this product from 14. Now bring down the 6 and repeat these steps. There is 1 thirteen in 16.
Write the 1 over the 6. Multiply the 1 by 13 and subtract this product from 16.Now bring down the 1 and repeat these steps. There are 2 thirteens in 31.
Write the 2 over the 1. Multiply the 2 by 13 and subtract this product from 31. There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are done.
The remainder is 5. is 112 with a remainder of 5.1,462 ÷ 13 1,462 ÷ 13 Check by multiplying.
Our answer is correct.
Try It 1.129
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.130
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Example 1.66
Divide and check by multiplying:
- Answer
Let's rewrite the problem to set it up for long division. 241 74,521 241 74,521 First we try to divide 241 into 7. Since that won’t work, we try 241 into 74. That still won’t work, so we try 241 into 745. Since 2 divides into 7 three times, we try 3.
Since , we write the 3 over the 5 in 745.3 × 241 = 723 3 × 241 = 723
Note that 4 would be too large because , which is greater than 745.4 × 241 = 964 4 × 241 = 964 Multiply the 3 by 241 and subtract this product from 745. Now bring down the 2 and repeat these steps. 241 does not divide into 222.
We write a 0 over the 2 as a placeholder and then continue.Now bring down the 1 and repeat these steps. Try 9. Since ,9 × 241 = 2,169 9 × 241 = 2,169
we write the 9 over the 1. Multiply the 9 by 241 and subtract this product from 2,221.There are no more numbers to bring down, so we are finished. The remainder is 52. So 74,521 ÷ 241 74,521 ÷ 241
is 309 with a remainder of 52.Check by multiplying.
Sometimes it might not be obvious how many times the divisor goes into digits of the dividend. We will have to guess and check numbers to find the greatest number that goes into the digits without exceeding them.
Try It 1.131
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Try It 1.132
Divide. Then check by multiplying:
Translate Word Phrases to Math Notation
Earlier in this section, we translated math notation for division into words. Now we’ll translate word phrases into math notation. Some of the words that indicate division are given in Table 1.8.
Operation | Word Phrase | Example | Expression |
---|---|---|---|
Division | divided by quotient of divided into |
the quotient of |
Example 1.67
Translate and simplify: the quotient of
- Answer
The word quotient tells us to divide.
the quotient of 51 and 17 Translate. 51 ÷ 17 Divide. 3 the quotient of 51 and 17 Translate. 51 ÷ 17 Divide. 3 We could just as correctly have translated the quotient of
and51 51 using the notation17 17 17 51 or 51 17 . 17 51 or 51 17 .
Try It 1.133
Translate and simplify: the quotient of
Try It 1.134
Translate and simplify: the quotient of
Divide Whole Numbers in Applications
We will use the same strategy we used in previous sections to solve applications. First, we determine what we are looking for. Then we write a phrase that gives the information to find it. We then translate the phrase into math notation and simplify it to get the answer. Finally, we write a sentence to answer the question.
Example 1.68
Cecelia bought a
- Answer
We are asked to find the how many servings she will get from the big box.
Write a phrase. 160 ounces divided by 8 ounces Translate to math notation. 160 ÷ 8 160 ÷ 8 Simplify by dividing. 20 20 Write a sentence to answer the question. Cecelia will get 20 servings from the big box.
Try It 1.135
Marcus is setting out animal crackers for snacks at the preschool. He wants to put
Try It 1.136
Andrea is making bows for the girls in her dance class to wear at the recital. Each bow takes
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Section 1.5 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Use Division Notation
In the following exercises, translate from math notation to words.
Model Division of Whole Numbers
In the following exercises, model the division.
Divide Whole Numbers
In the following exercises, divide. Then check by multiplying.
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, simplify.
Translate Word Phrases to Algebraic Expressions
In the following exercises, translate and simplify.
the quotient of
the quotient of
the quotient of
the quotient of
Divide Whole Numbers in Applications
In the following exercises, solve.
Trail mix Ric bought
Crackers Evie bought a
Astronomy class There are
Flower shop Melissa’s flower shop got a shipment of
Baking One roll of plastic wrap is
Dental floss One package of dental floss is
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, solve.
Miles per gallon Susana’s hybrid car gets
Distance Mayra lives
Field trip The
Potting soil Aki bought a
Hiking Bill hiked
Reading Last night Emily read
Patients LaVonne treats
Scouts There are
Writing Exercises
Contact lenses Jenna puts in a new pair of contact lenses every
Cat food One bag of cat food feeds Lara’s cat for
Everyday Math
Explain how you use the multiplication facts to help with division.
Oswaldo divided
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ Overall, after looking at the checklist, do you think you are well-prepared for the next Chapter? Why or why not?