how do you do long division

Answer 1

Long division is a method for dividing larger numbers by smaller numbers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing long division:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Set Up the Problem: Write the dividend (the number being divided) under the long division symbol and the divisor (the number you are dividing by) outside to the left.

   Example: Divide 432 by 4

         ____
   4 | 432
   

2. Divide: See how many times the divisor can fit into the first digit (or the first few digits) of the dividend. If the divisor fits into just the first digit, then you may need to include more digits.

   In our example, 4 goes into 4 once:

         1
         ____
   4 | 432
   

3. Multiply: Multiply the divisor by the number you just placed above the long division line.

   Here: \( 1 \times 4 = 4 \)

4. Subtract: Subtract the result from the digit(s) considered.

         1
         ____
   4 | 432
     - 4
     -----
       0
   

5. Bring Down: Bring down the next digit from the dividend next to the remainder.

   Bring down the "3":

         1
         ____
   4 | 432
     - 4
     -----
       03
   

6. Repeat: Repeat the steps of dividing, multiplying, and subtracting. Now we're looking at 3.

   Ask: How many times does 4 go into 3? It goes 0 times.

         10
         ____
   4 | 432
     - 4
     -----
       03
         0
   

7. Bring Down Again: Bring down the next digit from the dividend, which is "2":

         10
         ____
   4 | 432
     - 4
     -----
       03
        -0
     -----
       32
   

8. Divide Again: Now, ask how many times does 4 go into 32. It goes 8 times:

         108
         ____
   4 | 432
     - 4
     -----
       32
     - 32
     -----
         0
   

9. Complete the Process: Since there are no more digits to bring down, you’re done. The answer to \( 432 \div 4 \) is 108.

Summary

So, in the end:

\[ 432 \div 4 = 108 \]

Tips

• Check Your Work: You can verify the result by multiplying the quotient by the divisor and adding any remainder. It should equal the original dividend.
• Practice: Try practicing with different dividends and divisors to become comfortable with the process.
• Handling Remainders: If there are leftover digits that can't be divided, write them as a remainder (e.g., 3 R2 means 3 remainder 2) or convert into a decimal by adding a decimal point and zeroes as needed.

Feel free to ask if you need help with specific examples or further clarification!