Directions for Long Division

Long division may considered by some to be an outdated mathematical procedure that grade school children should not be forced to learn. However, the facts are that long division still remains a part of elementary math curriculum in the United States. One interesting fact about long division is, that in order to work a long division problem, one must divide, multiply and subtract. Introduction of long division usually includes only single digit divisors and quotients. Later, once the skills are learned, multiple digit divisors and quotients are introduced.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil and Paper

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Use 85 divided by 2 as your example and set the problem up in traditional long division format with the divisor (2) to the immediate left of the quotient (85).

   • 2

     Decide how many times 2 will go into 8. In the example, it will go four times. Place a 4 above the 8 in the quotient.

   • 3

     Multiply 4 x 2 and put the answer (8) directly below the 8 in the quotient.

   • 4

     Subtract 8 from 8. Your answer should be 0.

   • 5

     Bring down the remaining 5 and write it to the right of the 0.

   • 6

     Determine how many times 4 will go into 5 by dividing. 4 will go into 5 one time.

   • 7

     Put a 1 above the 5 in the quotient and place a 4 under the 5 in the quotient.

   • 8

     Subtract 4 from 5. Write the answer (1) beneath the 4. Because your divisor (2) will not go into 1, it remains alone.

   • 9

     Place "R1" (remainder one) above the quotient to the right of your answer (41).