Division is all about sorting numbers into groups. When we divide a greater number (larger number), we first separate its digits into individual division problems. Splitting a greater number into lesser (smaller) parts makes dividing easier.
Look at this problem:
We underline the first part of the dividend, which is 48. We solve 48 divided by 9. Then we write the answer above the 5 in the hundreds place.
Now, 9 times 5 equals 45 (9 x 5 = 45). When we subtract this from 48, we get a remainder of 3. We write 3 before the tens digit of the dividend, like this:
The next part of the dividend is 37. We solve for 37 divided by 9. As with 48, 37 is not a multiple of 9. Instead, we look for a multiple just less than 37 that can be divided by 9. This number is 36. So 36 divided by 9 equals 4 (36 ÷ 9 = 4). We write 4 above the 7 in the tens place.
We solve 4 times 9, which equals 36 (4 x 9 = 36). When we subtract this from 37, we get a remainder of 1. We write 1 before the ones digit, which is 8. This gives us 18, which is the last chunk of the dividend to solve.
Dividing 18 by 9 equals 2 (18 ÷ 9 = 2). We write 2 above the 8 in the ones place. The quotient, or answer, to 4,878 divided by 9 equals 542.
Breaking the dividend into smaller parts makes a problem easier to solve. Another thing to remember is that remainders are written before the next digit. The remainders are used in the next division problem.
