Division

In a Nutshell

Division asks "how many groups?" or "how many in each group?" Short division works digit by digit from left to right, carrying any remainder.

The bus stop method (short division) is the standard written layout for dividing by a single-digit or small number. You write the dividend under the "bus stop" bracket and the divisor to the left.

Work from left to right. Divide the first digit (or group of digits) by the divisor, write the quotient above, and carry any remainder to the next digit. Repeat until every digit has been used.

The diagram below walks you through the process step by step.

Bus stop division diagram A short division layout showing the divisor, dividend and working revealed step by step.

Watch it work

Question: Calculate 8,456÷78{,}456 \div 7.

Have a go

Q1. Calculate 936÷4936 \div 4.

Q2. Calculate 5,673÷95{,}673 \div 9.

Q3. 1,344 stickers are shared equally among 6 children. How many does each child get?

Q4. 5,000 sweets are packed into boxes of 8. How many full boxes are there, and how many sweets are left over?