Divide a 5-Digit Number by a 3-Digit Number

To divide a five-digit number by a three-digit number (for example 36542 ÷ 476), follow these steps:

  • Place the divisor (476) before the division bracket and place the dividend (36542) under it.
    •          
      476)36542

  • Examine the first three digits of the dividend (365). The number 365 is smaller than 476 so it can't be divided by 476 to produce a whole number. Next take the first four digits of the dividend (3654) and determine how many 476's it contains. The number 3654 contains seven 476's (7*476=3332) but not eight (8*476=3808). Place the 7 above the division bracket and directly above the 4.
    •        7 
      476)36542

  • Multiply the 7 by 476 and place the result (3332) below the 3654 of the dividend.
    •        7 
      476)36542
          3332

  • Draw a line under the 3332 and subtract it from 3654 (3654-3332 = 322). Bring down the 2 from the 36542 and place it to the right of the 2 in 322.
    •        7 
      476)36542
          3332
           3222

  • Divide 3222 by 476 and place that answer above the division bracket to the right of the 7.
    •        76
      476)36542
          3332
           3222

  • Multiply the 6 of the quotient by the divisor (476) to get 2856 and place this below the 3222. Draw a line under the 2856 and subtract 2856 from 3222 to get an answer of 366. The number 366 is smaller than the divisor (476) and is called the "remainder" and indicates that there were 366 left over.
    •        76  R366
      476)36542
          3332
           3222
           2856
            366






What is the Quotient and Remainder?

  /     =   R