How to Do Long Division
Divide the dividend one part at a time, from left to right. Take the first digits that make a number at least as large as the divisor, find how many times the divisor fits into it, and write that digit of the quotient. Multiply, subtract, and bring down the next digit, then repeat until every digit has been used. What is left at the end is the remainder.
Each division on these worksheets leaves space below the dividend for every step, so children can see the whole calculation and check their work.
How do the levels work?
The levels depend on the size of the dividend and on the remainder. Children start with 2-digit numbers divided by a one-digit number, with no remainder, then move to divisions that leave a remainder, and on to 3-digit and 4-digit dividends. Pages with 4-digit dividends have six divisions instead of nine, to leave enough room for the longer calculations.
Tips for long division
- Know your multiplication tables well: every step uses them.
- Estimate first: rounding the dividend helps you guess the size of the quotient.
- Check every step: each remainder must be smaller than the divisor.
- Check the answer: the quotient times the divisor, plus the remainder, gives back the dividend.