Long Division Calculator

About Long Division Calculator

Long division breaks a complex division into a series of simpler steps. The dividend equals quotient × divisor + remainder.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter the dividend, the number being divided.
2. Enter the divisor, the number you are dividing by.
3. View the quotient and remainder, if there is one.
4. Follow the step-by-step long division process to see how the answer is built.

The formula explained

The formula \(a \div b = q \text{ remainder } r\) means divide \(a\) by \(b\) to get a quotient \(q\) and a remainder \(r\). This calculator shows both parts when the division is not exact.

• a = the dividend, the number being divided
• b = the divisor, the number you divide by
• q = the quotient, or whole-number result
• r = the remainder, the amount left over

Step by step method

1. Write the dividend inside the division bracket and the divisor outside.
2. Divide the first part of the dividend by the divisor, then write that digit above the bracket.
3. Multiply, subtract, and bring down the next digit until all digits are used.
4. Write the quotient and check whether any number is left as the remainder.

Worked example

Problem. Divide 157 by 6 using long division.

1. 6 goes into 15 two times because \(6 \times 2 = 12\). Write 2 above the 5 in 157 and subtract 12 from 15 to get 3.
2. Bring down the 7 to make 37. Then 6 goes into 37 six times because \(6 \times 6 = 36\). Write 6 in the quotient and subtract 36 from 37 to get 1.
3. The quotient is 26 with a remainder of 1.

Tips and common mistakes

• If the divisor is larger than the part you are dividing, write 0 in the quotient and bring down the next digit.
• Check your work by multiplying the quotient by the divisor and adding the remainder, which should give the original dividend.

Frequently asked questions