Long division can be a daunting task for many, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re a student or just need a refresher, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you master long division. First things first, let’s define what long division actually is. Long division is a method of dividing large numbers by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. It’s useful in a variety of situations, such as dividing money, finding the average of numbers, and solving complex math problems. Now, on to the steps. Step 1: Write Out the Problem The first step in performing long division is writing out the problem. Let’s use the following problem as an example: Divide 483 by 3 Write it out like this: 1 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 Step 2: Divide and Multiply The next step is to divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor. In this case, that would be 4 ÷ 3, which equals 1. Write this number above the dividend, as shown above. Next, multiply the result (1) by the divisor (3), which equals 3. Write this number below the first digit of the dividend, like this: 1 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 Step 3: Subtract Subtract the number you just wrote (3) from the first digit of the dividend (4), which equals 1. Bring down the next digit of the dividend (8) next to the result (1) to get 18. 1 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 ----- 18 Step 4: Repeat Now you’ll repeat the process. Divide 18 by 3, which equals 6. Write this number next to the previous result (1) to get 16. 16 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 ----- 180 Subtract 9 from 18 to get 9, and bring down the next digit of the dividend (3) next to it. 16 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 ----- 180 153 Repeat the process again. Divide 15 by 3 to get 5. Write this number next to the previous results (16 and 1) to get 165, then subtract 15 from 18 to get 3. 165 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 ------ 180 153 --- 27 Bring down the final digit of the dividend (3) to get 273. 165 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3 | 483 3 ------ 180 153 --- 27 27 Step 5: Check Your Answer Now that you have your answer (161), it’s time to check it. You can do this by multiplying your quotient (161) by your divisor (3). If you did everything correctly, you should get the original dividend (483). Another way to check your answer is to add up all the numbers you used to get your quotient (1 + 6 + 5), which should equal the divisor (3). And that’s it! You’ve successfully completed long division. Of course, some problems may be more complex than others, but these steps should give you a solid foundation to work from. We hope this guide has been helpful in your long division journey. Remember, practice makes perfect!
