Short division method. Dividing by short division (with remainders).

Learn how to carry out the short division method.

The easiest and quickest way to carryout division is to use the short division method. Before you start carrying out the short division method, you will need to be at a good level with your times tables.

All you need to do is to divide each digit by your divisor, putting the answer on the top line and the remainder by your next number.

Example 1

Work out 736 ÷ 5 using the short division method.

First set out your division like this:

5|7 3 6

First do 7 ÷ 5 which is 1 remainder 2. Put 1 at the top and put a 2 in front of the 3 to make 23.

Next do 23 ÷ 5 which is 4 remainder 3. Put 4 at the top and 3 by the next number to make 36.

Finally do 36 ÷ 9 which is 9 remainder 1. Put 7 on the top line and remainder 1 at the end.

1 4 7 r1

5|7²3³6

Example 2

Work out 281 ÷ 5 using the short division method.

Set out your short division method like this.

5|2 8 1

First do 2 ÷ 5 which is 0 remainder 2. Put 0 on the top line and put a 2 in front of the 8 to make 28.

Next do 28 ÷ 5 which is 5 remainder 3. Put 5 on the top line and 3 by the next number to make 31.

Finally do 31 ÷ 5 which is 6 remainder 1. Put 6 on the top line and remainder 1 at the end.

0 5 6 r1

5|2²8³1

Example 3

Work out 5987 ÷ 7:

7|5 9 8  7

First do 5 ÷ 7 which is 0 remainder 5. Put 0 on the top line and 5 in front of the 9 to make 59.

Next do 59 ÷ 7 which is 8 remainder 3. Put 8 on the top line and 3 in front of the 8 to make 38.

Next do 38 ÷ 7 which is 5 remainder 3. Put 5 on the top line and 3 in front of the 7 to make 37.

Finally do 37 ÷ 7 which is 5 remainder 2. Put 5 on the top line and remainder 2 at the end.

0 8 5 5 r2

7|5⁵9³8³7

Check out my other article to find out how you can do short division leaving your answer as a decimal answer, instead of having a remainder at the end of your answer.