How to Divide a Larger Number by a Smaller Number?

To divide a larger number by a smaller number, you perform the division operation just as you would with any division problem.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. Set up the division problem: Write the larger number (the dividend) inside the division symbol and the smaller number (the divisor) outside the division symbol to the left.

      ______
   Smaller | Larger

2. Perform the division: Determine how many times the divisor (smaller number) goes into the dividend (larger number). Start by looking at the first digit (or first few digits) of the dividend.

3. Write the quotient: Write the result (the quotient) above the division symbol, aligned with the digit(s) of the dividend you used.

4. Multiply: Multiply the divisor by the part of the quotient you just wrote.

5. Subtract: Subtract the result from the corresponding part of the dividend.

6. Bring down: Bring down the next digit of the dividend next to the result of the subtraction.

7. Repeat: Repeat steps 2-6 until you have no more digits to bring down in the dividend.

8. Remainder (if any): If there's a number left over after the last subtraction, that's the remainder. You can express the remainder as a fraction (remainder/divisor) or as a decimal by adding a decimal point and zeros to the dividend and continuing the division.

Example:

Let's divide 12 by 2.

1. Set up:

     ______
   2 | 12

2. Divide: How many times does 2 go into 1? It doesn't, so move to the next digit. How many times does 2 go into 12? It goes in 6 times.

3. Write the quotient:

      6
   2 | 12

4. Multiply: 2 * 6 = 12

5. Subtract: 12 - 12 = 0

      6
   2 | 12
     -12
      ---
       0

Therefore, 12 divided by 2 is 6.

Example with Remainder and Decimal:

Let's divide 5 by 2.

1. Set up:

     ______
   2 | 5

2. Divide: How many times does 2 go into 5? It goes in 2 times.

3. Write the quotient:

      2
   2 | 5

4. Multiply: 2 * 2 = 4

5. Subtract: 5 - 4 = 1

      2
   2 | 5
     -4
      ---
       1

6. Bring down: Since there are no more digits, we can add a decimal and a zero to continue to the decimal part of the answer.

      2.
   2 | 5.0
     -4
      ---
       1 0

7. Divide: How many times does 2 go into 10? It goes in 5 times.

8. Write the quotient:

      2.5
   2 | 5.0
     -4
      ---
       1 0
       -1 0
       ----
          0

Therefore, 5 divided by 2 is 2.5.