Short division is almost the same as long division, but involves less writing and more arithmetic of thought. The general way to do short and long division is actually the same. It's just that, in short division, you write less, while doing simple subtraction and multiplication in mind. To understand short division, you must master the basic skills of subtraction and multiplication. Short division is ideal if the divisor, that is, the number that divides another number, is less than 10.
Step
Part 1 of 1: Doing Short Divisions
Step 1. Write down the problem
To write the problem correctly, put the divisor that divides another number outside the long divisor line. Place the number to be divided by the divisor number inside the long divisor line. The result of your division will be written above the dividing line. Keep in mind that for you to use short division, your divisor must be less than 10.
- For example: In problem 847/5, 5 is the divisor. So, write this divisor number outside the long divisor line. Then, 847 is the number that is divided. So, write this divided number inside the long dividing line.
- The division result is still empty because you haven't started dividing yet
Step 2. Divide the first number in the number divided by the divisor
In this problem, 8 divided by 5 is 1 with a remainder of 3. Write the number 1 which is the quotient above the long dividing line. The remainder of the quotient is called the remainder of the division.
- If you were using long division, you would write 8-5 equals 3 and subtract the 4 next to the number 8. Short division simplifies this writing process.
- At the beginning of the division, the first digit of the divided number may not be divisible by the divisor. For example, 567/7. In this problem, 5 is not divisible by 7, but 56 is divisible by 7 and the quotient is eight. When solving this problem, write the first number of the quotient above the number 6 and not over the number 5. Then, continue dividing. The final answer is 81.
- If you run into a problem where the number you are dividing is not divisible by the number in the divisor, just write down zeros in the result. Then, try to divide that number and the number next to it until the number is divisible. For example, 3208/8, 32 divided by 8 equals four, but 0 is not divisible by 8. You would add 0 to the result of the division and then divide the next number. The number 8 divided by 8 equals one. Thus, the result of the division is 401.
Step 3. Write the remainder next to the first digit of the divided number
Write a small 3 to the top left of the number 8. This will remind you that there is a 3 remaining when you divide 8 by 5. The next number you will divide is a combination of this remainder and the second number.
In the example here, the next number is 34
Step 4. Divide the number consisting of the first remainder and the second digit in the number divided by the divisor
The remainder is 3 and the second digit in the number divided is 4. So the new number you will use is 34.
- Now, divide 34 by 5. The number 34 divided by 5 equals six (5 x 6 = 30) with a remainder of 4.
- Write the result of your division, 6, above the dividing line, next to the number 1.
- Again, keep in mind that you do most of these calculations in mind.
Step 5. Write the second remainder above the second number in the divided number and divide
Just like you did before, just write the little 4 above and next to the 4. The next number you will divide is 47.
- Now divide 47 by 5. The number 47 divided by 5 equals 9 (5 x 9 = 45) with a remainder of 2.
- Write your quotient, 9, above the dividing line, next to the number 6.
Step 6. Write the final remainder above the dividing line
Write "s 2" next to the quotient, above the dividing line. The final answer to question 847/5 is 169 with a remainder of 2.
Related wikiHow Articles
- Dividing Integers by Decimals
- Doing Long-Determined Division
- Divide Fractions by Fractions
