Stage 4 · Division
Dividing by two digits
Round the divisor to a ten, then adjust.
How to do it
Method
Round the divisor to a ten, then adjust
158 ÷ 23: 23 × 6 = 138, 158 − 138 = 20 → 6 … 20
Another way
Written division
158 ÷ 23 = 6 … 20
In full
Dividing by two digits: round the divisor to the nearest ten to try a quotient, then multiply back and adjust. 158 ÷ 23: think of 23 as 20, 20 × 7 = 140, so try 7; but 23 × 7 = 161, more than 158 — too big, so try 6: 23 × 6 = 138, 158 − 138 = 20, and 20 is less than 23, so the quotient is 6 and the remainder 20. Two digits times one split easily: 23 × 6 = 20 × 6 + 3 × 6 = 120 + 18 = 138. With a two-digit quotient, try the tens first: 936 ÷ 12, 12 × 70 = 840, 936 − 840 = 96, 12 × 8 = 96, 70 + 8 = 78, so the quotient is 78. Another way is written division, from the highest place, trying a quotient, multiplying back and taking away; the answer is the same. Each question says whether it asks for the quotient or the remainder; one that divides exactly asks for the quotient.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
53 ÷ 18 → quotient ?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 53 ÷ 18 → quotient 2
53 ÷ 18: think of 18 as 20 to try a quotient, 20 × 2 = 40, so try 2; 18 × 2 = 36, 53 − 36 = 17, and 17 is less than 18; so the quotient is 2 and the remainder 17
Example 2
242 ÷ 40 → rem ?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 242 ÷ 40 → rem 2
242 ÷ 40: think of 40 as 40 to try a quotient, 40 × 6 = 240, so try 6; 40 × 6 = 240, 242 − 240 = 2, and 2 is less than 40; so the quotient is 6 and the remainder 2
Example 3
425 ÷ 91 → quotient ?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 425 ÷ 91 → quotient 4
425 ÷ 91: think of 91 as 90 to try a quotient, 90 × 4 = 360, so try 4; 91 × 4 = 364, 425 − 364 = 61, and 61 is less than 91; so the quotient is 4 and the remainder 61
Example 4
634 ÷ 16 → rem ?
Show the answer and working
Answer: 634 ÷ 16 → rem 10
634 ÷ 16: try the tens first, 16 × 30 = 480, 634 − 480 = 154, then the ones, 16 × 9 = 144, 154 − 144 = 10, and 10 is less than 16, 30 + 9 = 39; so the quotient is 39 and the remainder 10
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