Basic Math

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We know that 5 × 10 = 50 and that 5 and 10 are factors. These numbers are also called divisors. Division is the opposite of multiplication. In division, you find out how many times one number is contained in another. Division is the same as subtracting the same number as many times as possible.

Let's say you were given 24 flyers to pass out for a class and you had 3 friends who could help you pass them out and you want to know how many flyers you should give each friend?

To solve this problem you must find out how many groups of 4 are in 24 because you have 4 people counting yourself to pass the flyers out. By dividing 24 by 4 you will find that there are 6 groups of 4 in 24. Each person should get 6 flyers to pass out.

You can check to be sure this is correct by multiplying 6 and 4 to make sure the product is equal to 24. As you can see there is a direct relationship between multiplication and division.

The tables below further illustrates this connection.

Multiplicaton

Division

Below is a division problem broken down step by step:

	4 ÷ 25 = 0 remainder 4	The first number of the dividend is divided by the divisor.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 0 = 0	The answer from the first operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the number divided into.
	4 − 0 = 4	Now we subtract the bottom number from the top number.
		Bring down the next number of the dividend.
	42 ÷ 25 = 1 remainder 17	Bring down the next number of the dividend.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 1 = 25	The answer from the above operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the last number divided into.
	42 − 25 = 17	Now we subtract the bottom number from the top number.
		Bring down the next number of the dividend.
	175 ÷ 25 = 7 remainder 0	Divide this number by the divisor.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 7 = 175	The answer from the above operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the number divided into.
	175 − 175 = 0	Now we subtract the bottom number from the top number.
		There are no more numbers to bring down. The answer must be 17

Sometimes a division problem does not come out evenly. This would result in a remainder or number left over.

435 ÷ 25

	4 ÷ 25 = 0 remainder 4	The first number of the dividend is divided by the divisor.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 0 = 0	The answer from the first operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the number divided into.
	4 − 0 = 4	Now we take away the bottom number from the top number.
		Bring down the next number of the dividend.
	43 ÷ 25 = 1 remainder 18	Divide this number by the divisor.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 1 = 25	The answer from the above operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the last number divided into.
	43 − 23 = 18	Now we take away the bottom number from the top number.
		Bring down the next number of the dividend.
	185 ÷ 25 = 7 remainder 10	Divide this number by the divisor.
		The whole number result is placed at the top. Any remainders are ignored at this point.
	25 × 7 = 175	The answer from the above operation is multiplied by the divisor. The result is placed under the number divided into.
	185 − 175 = 10	Now we take away the bottom number from the top number.
	185 − 175 = 10	There are still 10 left over but no more numbers to bring down. With a long division with remainders the answer is expressed as 17 remainder 10 as shown in the diagram.

Now it is time for you to try a few practice problems.

Instructions: Divide these problems.

You are doing a great job! So far you have mastered addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers. You are making your way down the path to math success!