Learn the basic vocabulary associated with division. According to AAA Math, the "dividend" is the amount that needs to be divided. The "divisor" is the amount the dividend is going to be divided by. The "quotient" is the amount of times the divisor is able to go into the dividend and the "remainder" is the amount left over which cannot go into the dividend. For example in the problem 201/2, 201 is the "dividend" and 2 is the "divisor." 2 goes into 201 20 times and there is 1 remainder. So 20 is the "quotient" and 1 is the "remainder." The resulting problem will look like this: 201/2=20 R 1.
Solve the problem one step at a time. There are two types of division: long and short. Long division simply means you are writing out each step when solving, while short division means you are solving everything without steps. Let's use the example: 87234/2=?.
Write out the problem with the 2 on the outside of the long division symbol and 87234 inside the symbol.
Find the first number that the divisor, 2, can be divided into. In the example: 87234/2, 2 will go into 8 four
times. The first part of your quotient is 4. Write this on the top line of the division symbol. Multiply the divisor 2 and the quotient, 4. Write the result, 8, under the first number of your dividend.
Subtract 8 from the first number in the dividend (8) to get 0. Add the second number in the dividend (7) Now find how many times your divisor, 2 will go into 7. It will go into 7 three times, so write the number 3 as the second number in your quotient.
Multiply 3 and your divisor, 2 to get the result of 6. Put the 6 under the 7 you wrote earlier, under the
dividend. Subtract 6 from 7 to get the remainder 1. Bring the next number down from your dividend next to the remainder 1. The next number is a 2, so put this next to the 1 to get 12.
Figure how many times 2 will go into 12 and write the result as the third number in the quotient. Two goes into 12 six times, so your next quotient number is 6.
Multiply 6 by your divisor 2, to get 12. Write this number below the 12 you wrote earlier. Subtract 12 from 2 to get 0. Bring down the next number in your dividend which is 3.
Solve for how many times 2 will go into 3 and write the answer as the fourth number in your quotient. So, 2 goes into 3 one time with 1 remainder. Write 1 as the fourth quotient number. Multiply 1 by the divisor, 2, to get the result of 2.
Write down 2 under the 3 you wrote earlier, under the dividend. Subtract 2 from 3 to get 1. Write down the 1 and bring down the next number which is 4. So you are now dividing 2 into 14.
See how many times 2 goes into 14, which is 7. Write down 7 as the last number in your quotient. Check to see if you have any remainders by multiplying 7 by 2, which is equal to 14, leaving you with no remainders. Your result is: 87234/2=43617.