How to Solve Division Problems

Few things strike fear into the hearts of people of all ages the way math problems can. Division problems are no exception. Though division is simply a way of breaking a number up into equal parts, it still manages to seem complicated and downright impossible in some situations. Fortunately, you can learn to solve division problems systematically and with little-to-no frustration.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Math manipulatives

Solve a Simple Division Problem

1. Start with a simple division problem and a low number. This will help you to get a good handle on the division process before you move on to higher numbers. 10 divided by five is a good example.
2. Gather 10 small items you can use for this purpose. You can use pennies, paper clips, pencils, blocks, or even macaroni noodles. You just want something you can hold in your hand and manipulate as you count.
3. Take the 10 items and separate them into groups of five. You'll end up with two groups, which is your answer. Now you know that 10 divided by five is two, and you've learned to divide.

Solve a Division Problem That Has a Remainder

4. Use your counting pieces, often called manipulatives, to count out 33 objects. You will solve the following division problem: 33 divided by eight equals how many?
5. Separate your 33 items into groups, with eight pieces in each group.
6. Count the number of groups of eight you've created. You should have four, with one left over that cannot be included in your groups.
7. Name the leftover piece the remainder. The remainder of a division problem is the number left over once you've divided the original number into equal parts. In this case, your answer is four, with a remainder of one.

Tips & Warnings

• Division is actually the opposite of multiplication, so if you know your multiplication tables, solving division problems should be easier. For example, if you know that nine times three equals 27, you can turn this fact around and figure, without any real calculation, that 27 divided by three is nine. You can even change the numbers around a bit, as 27 divided by nine equals three.
• Learn division terms. You will encounter them in math textbooks and on tests. The dividend is the number you are dividing or breaking up into equal parts. The divisor is the number by which you will divide the dividend. The quotient is the answer to your division problem.
• Don't try to use math manipulatives for very large numbers. For big division problems, you'll want to use a pencil and paper as well as your multiplication skills.