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Long Division by a One-Digit Number (Grade 4)
The step-by-step method, three worked examples, a 10-problem online practice with instant checking and printable worksheets with an answer key.
Long division breaks a big division into small ones. Instead of dividing the whole number at once, you divide it place by place, starting with the largest place value.
Start with the first digits of the dividend that make a number at least as big as the divisor. If the first digit is smaller than the divisor, use the first two digits. That also tells you how many digits the quotient will have: one for this first part plus one for every digit that is left.
Then repeat four steps: divide and write the digit in the quotient, multiply that digit by the divisor, subtract, and bring down the next digit. If the number you get is smaller than the divisor, write 0 in the quotient and bring down the next digit.
To check your answer, multiply the quotient by the divisor. You should get the dividend back.
Worked examples
1,344 ÷ 4 = 336
- 13 ÷ 4 = 3, 3 × 4 = 12, remainder 1
- 14 ÷ 4 = 3, 3 × 4 = 12, remainder 2
- 24 ÷ 4 = 6, 6 × 4 = 24, remainder 0
- Answer: 336
2,880 ÷ 6 = 480
- 28 ÷ 6 = 4, 4 × 6 = 24, remainder 4
- 48 ÷ 6 = 8, 8 × 6 = 48, remainder 0
- 0 ÷ 6 = 0, 0 × 6 = 0, remainder 0
- Answer: 480
6,633 ÷ 9 = 737
- 66 ÷ 9 = 7, 7 × 9 = 63, remainder 3
- 33 ÷ 9 = 3, 3 × 9 = 27, remainder 6
- 63 ÷ 9 = 7, 7 × 9 = 63, remainder 0
- Answer: 737
Practice: solve 10 problems
Examples with answers
| Problem | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1,856 ÷ 4 | 464 |
| 3,716 ÷ 4 | 929 |
| 5,706 ÷ 6 | 951 |
| 5,070 ÷ 6 | 845 |
| 8,514 ÷ 9 | 946 |
| 2,886 ÷ 3 | 962 |
| 3,605 ÷ 5 | 721 |
| 357 ÷ 3 | 119 |
| 4,193 ÷ 7 | 599 |
| 2,457 ÷ 3 | 819 |
| 3,136 ÷ 4 | 784 |
| 7,992 ÷ 9 | 888 |
Common mistakes
If the number after bringing down is smaller than the divisor, the quotient gets a 0. For example, 824 ÷ 4 = 206, not 26.
If what is left after subtracting is equal to or bigger than the divisor, the digit you chose is too small. Make it one bigger.
In 156 ÷ 6 the 1 is smaller than 6, so start with 15. The answer has two digits: 156 ÷ 6 = 26.
Practice in the game
Each right answer builds a tower that defends the fortress. Free, no sign-up, phone or computer.
For parents: practising at home
Practice 5 to 10 problems a day instead of 30 at once. Ask your child to say the steps out loud: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. If they get stuck, go back to the multiplication facts for that divisor, because long division depends on them.
Assign long division to a student in ZnayQuest: they practice at home in the game, and you see every mistake, what they answered and the correct answer, so you know which step they get wrong.
FAQ
How do you check long division?
Multiply the quotient by the divisor and add the remainder, if there is one. You should get the dividend.
What if a digit is smaller than the divisor?
Take the next digit together with it. If this happens in the middle of the division, write 0 in the quotient first.
Is it free?
Yes. The lesson, the practice, the worksheets and the game are free, with no sign-up.