Division is splitting a total number of items into equal groups, or finding how many equal groups you can make. It answers the question: “How many in each group?” or “How many groups?”
Division is the opposite, or inverse, of multiplication. If you know that 7 × 6 = 42, then you also know that 42 ÷ 6 = 7 and 42 ÷ 7 = 6.
Every division sentence has specific parts with special names.
You can read the division sentence 27 ÷ 9 = 3 as “twenty-seven divided by nine equals three.”
Because division and multiplication are inverse operations, your multiplication facts are the best tool for solving division problems.
If a multiplication fact is correct, it gives you two related division facts. This is called a fact family.
There are two important rules that are always true and can help you check your work.
Division by zero is not defined or allowed. You cannot divide a number by zero.
To complete a division sentence, identify the missing part—whether it is the dividend, divisor, or quotient—and use your fact families to find it.
Always reread the completed sentence to make sure it makes sense. Check your answer with multiplication.