How to Do Short Division: 9 Steps
Step 1: Understand Division
Before you start doing short division, it is essential to understand the concept of division. It is the process of splitting a number into equal parts. In simple terms, you are distributing the dividend (the number being divided) into equal groups, and finding out how many times the divisor (the number you are dividing by) goes into those groups.
Step 2: Set Up Your Division Problem
Write the dividend and divisor with a division symbol between them. The divisor should be outside the symbol, while the dividend should be inside. Alternatively, you can write them vertically with the divisor on the left side and dividend on the right side.
Step 3: Look at First Digit or Pair of Digits
If the first digit of your dividend is greater than or equal to your divisor, you can start by dividing that digit. If the first digit is smaller, look at both of its neighbour digits as a pair.
Step 4: Divide
Divide the first digit (or pair of digits) of your dividend by your divisor. Write the whole number result above your dividend in that same position as that first digit (or pair).
Step 5: Multiply and Subtract
Multiply your result from Step 4 by your divisor. Then subtract this product from either the first digit or pair of digits you divided initially. Write down this subtraction result.
Step 6: Bring Down Next Digit
Bring down your next number from your remaining dividend after subtraction in step 5. This creates a new two-digit or three-digit number based on previous steps.
Step 7: Repeat Process Until All Digits Brought Down
Repeat steps 4 through 6 until you have brought down all digits from your initial dividend and find no more remaining digits.
Step 8: Check for Remainders
At this point, if there are remainders that cannot be divided by the divisor, write an “R” followed by the remainder to indicate that it is a part of your answer. Place it beside the quotient result.
Step 9: Review Your Answer
Make sure your answer makes sense in context and re-check your calculations if necessary. If everything looks good—you’ve successfully completed a short division!
In conclusion, short division is an efficient method to solve simple division problems without using long division process. With these 9 easy steps, you can master short division and use it to quickly divide numbers and solve problems.