Division

Division is how we share things equally. When you divide, you split a number into smaller, equal parts. The division sign looks like this (÷). For example, 10 ÷ 2 = 5 means 10 split into 2 equal groups gives 5 in each group. Division is the opposite of multiplication.

How Division Works

Imagine you have 12 candies and 3 friends. You divide the candies so each friend gets the same amount. Each friend gets 4 candies because 12 ÷ 3 = 4. The number being divided is called the dividend. The number you divide by is the divisor. The answer is the quotient.

A form shows the division sign being used in everyday math.
A form shows the division sign being used in everyday math. (Næringsoppgåva er eit offentleg skjema. Offentlege, norske skjema er i prinsippet frie. Sjølve skjermknipsen er eg sjølv ansvarleg for. / Wikimedia Commons)

Remainders

Sometimes numbers do not split evenly. If you have 10 cookies and 3 friends, each friend gets 3 cookies and 1 is left over. That leftover number is called the remainder. Division helps you solve problems about sharing, grouping, and measuring.

Fun Facts

  • You cannot divide by zero in math.
  • Dividing by 1 always gives you the same number back.
  • Long division is a way to divide very big numbers step by step.

Did You Know?

A fraction is actually another way to show division. The fraction 1/2 means 1 divided by 2.