Multiplication and Division:

Division with Decimal Results

The videos in this lesson will teach you how to do division with multiple digits. This process is applicable for numbers that divide evenly, and those with decimal answers. The videos in this lesson demonstrate one way to do division. If you are familiar with another algorithm or pattern, you are welcome to use it. The important thing is to understand what you are doing and why so you can apply it to real world situations.

Steps for Division:

Put the number being divided (the dividend) under the box and the other number (the divisor) to the left of the box.
Starting on the left, determine how many times the divisor can go into the first digit of the dividend.
Write that number above the digit and subtract the product of that number and the divisor from the dividend.
Repeat steps 2 and 3, moving to the right.

The following video will walk through these steps in a couple of examples.

Video Source (07:23 mins) | Transcript

The same process of division is used, even when we get a decimal answer. Remember, we can always add 0’s after the decimal place on a number (ex: 2 = 2.0 = 2.00). The following video will show how to divide with decimals.

Video Source (02:54 mins) | Transcript

Video Source (05:57 mins) | Transcript

Once again, you may find yourself going slowly through this process. That’s alright. To help yourself speed up, try studying and memorizing your 1 digit multiplication facts. Knowing these will help you as you follow the division steps.

Additional Resources

Khan Academy: Dividing Whole Numbers to get a Decimal (02:36 mins, Transcript)
Khan Academy: Dividing Decimals (06:43 mins, Transcript)

Practice Problems

Evaluate the following expression:

77 ÷ 2 = ?
339 ÷ 4 = ?
21 ÷ 8 = ?
37 ÷ 3 = ?
559 ÷ 6 = ?
258 ÷ 7 = ?

Solutions

38.5 (Written Solution)

Start by dividing in parts. First, divide 7 by 2.

Place your answer above the line and directly above the 7. The answer will be 3, because 2 goes into 7 about 3 times.

Place the result of 2 × 3 below the 7 and subtract.

The difference between 7 and 6 is 1. Place the answer directly below the 6.

Next step is to bring down the next number. Bring the second 7 down and place it next to the 1. Now divide 17 by 2.

Divide 17 by 2. The answer is about 8.

Place the 16, the results of 8 × 2, below the 17 and subtract.

The difference between 17 and 16 is 1. Place the 1 below the 6.

At this point, there’s a remainder. Add a decimal and a zero after the 77.

Continue, by bringing the new zero down.

Now divide 10 by 2 which is 5 and place it next to the 8 above our new 0 in the solution.

Place the results of 2 × 5 below the 10 and subtract. The difference between 10 and 10 is zero. When we reach 0 we stop dividing.

Place the decimal point between 38 and 5. Notice that the decimal point in the answer is placed directly above the decimal point in 77.0.

The answer is 38.5
84.75 (Written Solution)

Start by dividing 33 by 4.

The number 4 goes into 33 about 8 times.
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Place the product (answer) of 8 × 4 = 32 below 33 and subtract.

There is a remainder of 1 remainder. Place it below the line and bring down the 9.

Divide 19 by 4.

Four goes into 19 about 4 times, because of 4 × 4 = 16. Place the new 4 next to the 8 in the answer.

Place 16, the product of 4 × 4, below the 19 and subtract.

The difference between 19 and 16 is 3. Place the 3 below the right-most column.

Next, add a decimal point after the 9 in the dividend (339) and include two zeros.

Continue the same pattern. Bring the next number down. In this case, the zero. Divide 30 by 4.

4 goes into 30 about 7 times.

Place 28, the product of 4 × 7, below the 30 and subtract.

The difference between 30 and 28 is 2. Place the 2 below the line. Notice we had to do some regrouping in order to do this subtraction.

Continue by bringing the last 0 down, next to the 2. Divide 20 by 4.

The number 4 goes into 20 exactly 5 times, because 4 × 5 is 20. Subtract to get a zero remainder.

The last step is to place the decimal point in our answer. Place the decimal point between 84 and 75 lined up with the decimal point in the dividend, 339.00.

Our final answer: 84.75
2.63, When rounded to the nearest hundredth (Solution Video | Transcript)
12.33, When rounded to the nearest hundredth
93.17, When rounded to the nearest hundredth (Solution Video | Transcript)
36.86, When rounded to the nearest hundredth