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Long division with zeros in the quotient
A very common long division mistake is a missing zero. In 824 ÷ 4, a child might write 26 instead of 206. It happens at the step where the divisor goes into the number zero times, and the child moves on without writing anything.
The fix is a simple habit: every time you bring down a digit, write a digit in the answer, even if it's 0.
Worked example: 824 ÷ 4
- 4 into 8 goes 2 times. 2 × 4 = 8, and 8 − 8 = 0. Bring down the 2.
- 4 into 2 goes 0 times. Write 0 in the answer. 0 × 4 = 0, and 2 − 0 = 2. Bring down the 4 to make 24.
- 24 ÷ 4 = 6. Write 6. So 824 ÷ 4 = 206.
- Check: 206 × 4 = 824. If the answer had been 26, the check would give 104, which is far too small.
6 practice problems (each answer has a zero)
- 612 ÷ 6 = ?
- 918 ÷ 9 = ?
- 824 ÷ 4 = ?
- 1,520 ÷ 5 = ?
- 721 ÷ 7 = ?
- 650 ÷ 6 = ?
Show answers
- 612 ÷ 6 = 102
- 918 ÷ 9 = 102
- 824 ÷ 4 = 206
- 1,520 ÷ 5 = 304
- 721 ÷ 7 = 103
- 650 ÷ 6 = 108 R 2
Tips for parents
- Estimate first: 824 ÷ 4 should be about 200, so 26 can't be right.
- One digit brought down means one digit written in the answer.
- Grid paper helps keep the answer digits above the right columns.
Questions parents ask
Why does my child forget the zero in long division?
Because nothing seems to happen at that step: the divisor doesn't fit, so it feels like there's nothing to write. Estimating the answer first and checking by multiplying back both catch the mistake.