Division – Definition – Example – Basic Concepts

In mathematics division is one of the four basic operations of arithmetic. 

Let’s go through a detailed explanation of basic division in a way that’s easy for kids to understand.

What is Division?

Division is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic, alongside addition, subtraction, and multiplication. It is the process of splitting a number into equal parts.

Division: Definition

Division or divide is a method of sharing or grouping a number or things into equal parts.

 Symbol

The mathematical Symbols used for for division are obelus (➗)  or slash / ora line.

For example – “10 divided by 2

               10 ÷ 2,   or   10/2   or   102

Division means an operation which is inverse of multiplication.

Example –               12 ÷ 3 = 4

We can do the process reverse, replacing the 3 x 4 =  12 

If we have 10 balls and put them into 5 equal size of groups, there will be 2 things in each group and answer is 5.

 

Division Terms 

In a division each part has a special name.

1. The number which we divide is called the dividend.

2. The number by which we divide is called the divisor.

3. The result we get is called the quotient.

4. The number left over is called the remainder.

                             15 ÷ 3 = 5

Dividend   Divisor  Quotient

So, in above example 

15 is called dividend.

3 is called divisor.

5 is called quotient.

0 is called remainder.

 ∴  Dividend  ÷  Divisor  =  Quotient

Dividend = Divisor x Quotient + Remainder

1. When 23 dividing by 10, 2 is the quotient and 3 is the remainder, because 23 = 2 x 10 + 3.

23 ÷ 10

Example Problem

Let’s divide 12 by 3.

1. Identify the parts:
   • Dividend: 12
   • Divisor: 3
2. What are we trying to find?:

We want to find out how many groups of 3 can fit into 12.

Visualizing Division

Imagine you have 12 apples, and we want to share them equally among 3 friends.

1. Start with 12 apples.
2. Give each friend 1 apple, so 3 apples are given out.
   • You have 12 – 3 = 9 apples left.
3. Give each friend another apple, so another 3 apples are given out.
   • You have 9 – 3 = 6 apples left.
4. Give each friend another apple, so another 3 apples are given out.
   • You have 6 – 3 = 3 apples left.
5. Give each friend another apple, so another 3 apples are given out.
   • You have 3 – 3 = 0 apples left.

You’ve given out all 12 apples, and each friend has 4 apples.

So, 12 divided by 3 equals 4. The quotient is 4.

Using a Number Line

Another way to understand division is by using a number line.

Draw a number line from 0 to 12. Starting at 0, make jumps of 3 until you reach 12.

Here’s a number line from 0 to 12 with jumps of 3 starting at 0. The blue arrows indicate the jumps.

The first jump lands at 3.

The second jump lands at 6.

The third jump lands at 9.

The fourth jump lands at 12.

You made 4 jumps of 3 to reach 12. This shows that 12 divided by 3 equals 4.

Practice Problem

Let’s try another one together: 15 divided by 5.

1. Identify the parts:
   • Dividend: 15
   • Divisor: 5
2. Imagine you have 15 candies and you want to share them equally among 5 friends.
3. Give each friend 1 candy. 5 candies are given out.
   • 15 – 5 = 10 candies left.
4. Give each friend another candy. Another 5 candies are given out.
   • 10 – 5 = 5 candies left.
5. Give each friend another candy. Another 5 candies are given out.
   • 5 – 5 = 0 candies left.

You’ve given out all 15 candies, and each friend has 3 candies.

So, 15 divided by 5 equals 3. The quotient is 3.

Conclusion

Division helps us split things into equal parts. By understanding the dividend, divisor, quotient, and sometimes the remainder, we can solve division problems easily. Using objects or a number line can make it easier to visualize and understand division.