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Long division with remainders
A remainder is what's left over when a number can't be shared out equally. If 47 stickers are shared among 5 children, each gets 9 and 2 are left over: 47 ÷ 5 = 9 R 2.
The remainder must always be smaller than the divisor. If it isn't, one more group would fit, so the answer needs to go up by one.
Worked examples
- 47 ÷ 5 = 9 R 2. Check: 9 × 5 + 2 = 47.
- 158 ÷ 6. 6 goes into 15 two times: 15 − 12 = 3. Bring down the 8 to make 38. 6 goes into 38 six times: 38 − 36 = 2. So 158 ÷ 6 = 26 R 2.
- Check: 26 × 6 + 2 = 158.
8 practice problems with remainders
- 29 ÷ 4 = ?
- 53 ÷ 6 = ?
- 71 ÷ 8 = ?
- 100 ÷ 7 = ?
- 245 ÷ 4 = ?
- 389 ÷ 5 = ?
- 614 ÷ 9 = ?
- 1,000 ÷ 3 = ?
Show answers
- 29 ÷ 4 = 7 R 1
- 53 ÷ 6 = 8 R 5
- 71 ÷ 8 = 8 R 7
- 100 ÷ 7 = 14 R 2
- 245 ÷ 4 = 61 R 1
- 389 ÷ 5 = 77 R 4
- 614 ÷ 9 = 68 R 2
- 1,000 ÷ 3 = 333 R 1
Tips for parents
- Always check: quotient times divisor, plus the remainder, should equal the starting number.
- If the remainder is as big as the divisor or bigger, add one to the quotient.
- In word problems, ask what the remainder means. Sometimes you round up (buses needed), sometimes you ignore it.
Questions parents ask
How do you check a division problem with a remainder?
Multiply the quotient by the divisor and add the remainder. You should get the number you started with, and the remainder must be smaller than the divisor.