Long Division

Long division is the algorithm for dividing numbers too big to do in your head. Once you learn the 5-step process, you can divide ANY two numbers — 4-digit, 5-digit, even millions. It looks scary but it is just a pattern you repeat.

Memory trick: **D**oes **M**cDonald's **S**ell **B**urgers\n\n- **D** — Divide\n- **M** — Multiply\n- **S** — Subtract\n- **B** — Bring down\n- Then REPEAT\n\nExample: 156 ÷ 4\n\n1. **Divide**: 4 goes into 15 → 3 times (3 × 4 = 12). Write 3 on top.\n2. **Multiply**: 3 × 4 = 12. Write 12 under 15.\n3. **Subtract**: 15 - 12 = 3.\n4. **Bring down**: the 6. Now you have 36.\n5. **Repeat**: 4 into 36 → 9 times. 9 × 4 = 36. 36 - 36 = 0.\n\nAnswer: 156 ÷ 4 = 39.

Sometimes division does NOT work out perfectly. The leftover is called the REMAINDER.\n\n14 ÷ 3:\n- 3 goes into 14 → 4 times (4 × 3 = 12).\n- Subtract: 14 - 12 = 2.\n- No more digits to bring down.\n- **Answer: 4 R 2** (4 with remainder 2).\n\nCheck: 4 × 3 + 2 = 14 ✓

Long division breaks a BIG problem into SMALLER problems. Instead of dividing 156 by 4 all at once, you:\n\n1. Divide 15 (tens) by 4 first\n2. Handle the leftover with the next digit\n3. Divide again\n\nIt is the same trick mathematicians use to solve any complex problem — break it into smaller pieces.

Always check: MULTIPLY your answer by the divisor — you should get the original number.\n\nYou said 156 ÷ 4 = 39. Check: 39 × 4 = 156 ✓\n\nYou said 14 ÷ 3 = 4 R 2. Check: (4 × 3) + 2 = 14 ✓\n\nThis catches mistakes before you turn in your work.

You use division when you:\n\n- Share fairly ("24 cookies ÷ 6 kids = 4 each")\n- Split costs ("$48 pizza ÷ 4 people = $12 each")\n- Calculate rates ("240 miles ÷ 4 hours = 60 mph")\n- Compare prices ("$6 for 3 apples = $2 per apple")\n- Measure things ("48 inches ÷ 12 = 4 feet")\n\nAdults divide daily.