Long Division by One Digit

Long Division by One Digit

Long division helps you divide a larger number by a single-digit divisor, step by step. The goal is to find how many times the divisor fits into each part of the dividend.

Method

1. Start from the left of the dividend.
2. Ask how many times the divisor fits into the first digit or first group of digits that is large enough.
3. Write the digit of the quotient above the division bar.
4. Multiply that digit by the divisor.
5. Subtract the result from the part you used.
6. Bring down the next digit and repeat until all digits are used.

What to watch for

• If the divisor does not fit, write 0 in the quotient for that place and bring down the next digit.
• Keep digits lined up carefully so subtraction stays correct.
• If there is a remainder at the end, it must be smaller than the divisor.

Check your work

Use multiplication to verify the answer: divisor × quotient + remainder = dividend. If this is true, your division is correct.