Dividing by 2
You learn the division facts by using the times tables backwards.
How to work it out
- Look at the divisor.
- In that multiplication table, find what multiplies to give the dividend.
- That factor is the answer.
A worked example
56 ÷ 7
- You are dividing by 7.
- Find the fact in the 7 times table that makes 56: 8 × 7 = 56.
- So 56 ÷ 7 = 8.
More examples
24 ÷ 4
- You are dividing by 4.
- Find the fact in the 4 times table that makes 24: 6 × 4 = 24.
- So 24 ÷ 4 = 6.
45 ÷ 9
- You are dividing by 9.
- Find the fact in the 9 times table that makes 45: 5 × 9 = 45.
- So 45 ÷ 9 = 5.
Try it yourself
20 ÷ 2 =
12 ÷ 2 =
Watch out
You pick the fact next to the right one: for 56 ÷ 7 you say 7, because 7 × 7 = 49.
Always check with multiplication: 7 × 7 = 49, and that is not 56. Go one further: 8 × 7 = 56.
Tips
- Check with multiplication: 8 × 7 = 56, so 56 ÷ 7 = 8.
- Do you not know the 7 times table yet? Build it from a table you do know.
Exceptions
- You cannot divide by 0: you cannot share something between zero groups.
Why it works
Dividing asks: how many times does one number go into another? That is the same question as a multiplication with a gap: for 56 ÷ 7 you look for the number that makes 56 when you multiply it by 7. You already know your times tables, so you can find the answer there.