Division helps us find how many equal groups can be made or how many items are in each group. When we divide by a 2-digit number, we are often solving a problem about sharing or grouping in real-life situations.
Division connects numbers to real situations. Always think about what the quotient means in the story.
Sometimes division does not come out evenly. The number left over is called the remainder. In word problems, we must decide what to do with it based on the situation.
The remainder tells us what is left when we cannot make another full group. Sometimes the remainder means a partial group or something that cannot be used completely.
How we use the remainder depends on what the problem is asking. We may ignore it, use it as a part of the answer, or round up to make an extra group.
Always reread the question to know whether the remainder means “extra,” “left over,” or “round up.”
Some problems require more than one operation. You may need to multiply or add after dividing to find the final answer.
Label each part of your answer clearly. In multi-step problems, show all your math to explain how you found the result.
After solving, check your work by multiplying the quotient by the divisor and adding any remainder. The result should equal the dividend.
Always verify your division with multiplication. This helps you avoid simple mistakes and ensures your answer makes sense in the problem’s context.
Before finishing, check if your answer is reasonable. Use estimation to see if your result is close to what makes sense.
Estimating before and after dividing helps you know if your answer is realistic.