Divide a 4-Digit Number by a 2-Digit Number

To divide a four-digit number by a two-digit number (for example 3654 ÷ 47), follow these steps:

• Place the divisor (47) before the division bracket and place the dividend (3654) under it.

       

47)3654

• Examine the first two digits of the dividend (36). The number 36 is less than 47 so it can't be divided by 47 to produce a whole number. Next take the first three digits of the dividend (365) and determine how many 47's it contains. The number 365 contains seven 47's (7*47=329) but not eight (8*47=376). Place the 7 above the division bracket and directly above the 5.

     7 

47)3654

• Multiply the 7 by 47 and place the result (329) below the 365 of the dividend.

     7 

47)3654

   329

• Draw a line under the 329 and subtract it from 365 (365-329 = 36). Bring down the 4 from 3654 and place it to the right of the 6 in 36.

     7 

47)3654

   329

    364

• Divide 364 by 47 and place that answer above the division bracket to the right of the 7.

     77

47)3654

   329

    364

• Multiply the 7 of the quotient by the divisor (47) to get 329 and place this below the 364. Draw a line under the 329 and subtract 329 from 364 to get an answer of 35. The number 35 is smaller than 47 so it is called the "remainder" and indicates that there were 35 left over.

     77 R35

47)3654

   329

    364

    329

     35