Mastering division can seem daunting, but with a bit of guidance and practice, even a tricky division problem like 90 divided by 4 can become straightforward. In this blog post, we'll break down the division process into six simple steps, making it easy for anyone to understand and apply. Whether you're a student grappling with homework or an adult looking to brush up on basic arithmetic, these steps will equip you with the necessary skills to handle division with confidence.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of Division
Division is the inverse operation of multiplication. It involves distributing a number (dividend) into equal parts, with another number (divisor) specifying how many parts you want. Here's how division is represented:
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient
For our example:
- Dividend: 90
- Divisor: 4
- Quotient: What we're looking to find
Example: Imagine you have 90 pieces of candy and want to distribute them evenly among 4 people. How many pieces will each person get?
Helpful Tips:
- Remember, if the dividend is smaller than the divisor, the quotient will be a fraction or a decimal number.
<p class="pro-note">🔍 Pro Tip: Division always involves knowing when and how to multiply and subtract, essentially being the reverse of multiplication.</p>
Step 2: Set Up the Division Problem
In long division, the problem is set up in the following format:
________
divisor ) dividend
For 90 ÷ 4:
4 ) 90
Example: If you're solving this on paper, write it like this:
4 ) 90
________
Important Notes:
- The divisor goes on the left side outside the bracket, and the dividend goes inside.
<p class="pro-note">📌 Pro Tip: Ensure the number in the dividend is positioned directly under the divisor to avoid confusion.</p>
Step 3: Divide
Look at the first digit (or pair of digits if necessary) of the dividend:
- Compare 9 to 4; since 4 goes into 9 two times, write the 2 above the 9.
2
4 ) 90
Helpful Tips:
- If you find it hard to divide mentally, sometimes thinking in terms of multiplication can help (e.g., 4 x what = 9).
<p class="pro-note">🧮 Pro Tip: If you're having trouble, try multiplying the divisor by different numbers to see which one gives you a result closest to the first digit of the dividend.</p>
Step 4: Multiply, Subtract, and Bring Down
- Multiply: Multiply the divisor (4) by the number above it (2). Write the result below the 9:
2
4 ) 90
-8
- Subtract: Subtract 8 from 9, which gives 1.
2
4 ) 90
-8
---
10
- Bring Down: Bring down the next digit from the dividend (in this case, 0), making it 10.
Example: Continuing with the candy analogy, you've distributed 8 pieces to each person, and now you have 10 more pieces to deal with.
Step 5: Repeat the Process
- Since 4 goes into 10 two times, write the 2 above the 0:
22
4 ) 90
-8
---
10
- Multiply: 4 x 2 = 8
- Subtract: 10 - 8 = 2
22
4 ) 90
-8
---
10
-8
---
2
Common Mistake: Forgetting to bring down the next digit.
Step 6: Interpret the Remainder
The process stops here since we have no more digits to bring down. This results in:
22
4 ) 90
-8
---
10
-8
---
2
- Quotient: 22
- Remainder: 2
So, 90 ÷ 4 equals 22 with a remainder of 2.
Helpful Tips:
- The remainder tells you how many "pieces" are left after even distribution.
Practical Example: Imagine you were to split 90 into groups of 4, and after 22 groups of 4, you would have 2 pieces left. You can think of this as an extra piece for each person, or you could decide to keep the remainder separate.
Key Points to Remember:
- Division involves creating equal groups from a larger number.
- Each step in long division is essentially breaking down multiplication and subtraction.
- A remainder indicates an uneven division where the last group isn't as full as the others.
Wrapping Up
With these six steps, you can confidently tackle any basic division problem, including 90 divided by 4. Practice is key to mastering division, so don't shy away from trying out different numbers. Here's an additional note to keep in mind:
<p class="pro-note">💡 Pro Tip: Remember, long division can be used for both integer and decimal division by continuing the process past the decimal point if necessary.</p>
Now that you're equipped with these division skills, why not delve into related tutorials? Learning about decimals, fractions, and how to use long division in real-world scenarios will enhance your mathematical prowess.
<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What does the remainder represent in division?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The remainder represents the amount left over when the dividend cannot be evenly divided by the divisor.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How do you know when to stop dividing?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>You stop dividing when you've used all digits from the dividend, or when you reach zero as the remainder in long division.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can you divide 90 by 4 without a remainder?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>No, because 90 divided by 4 yields 22.5 or 22 R 2 in whole numbers.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>