Division is one of the four maths operations that we use every day. When we use division, we break up a number or an amount into equal parts.
Sometimes a division calculation does not give a whole number answer. In this case, we can either give a remainder (how many are left over, that cannot be put into equal groups) or use a fraction or a decimal to share the remainder out. For example 5÷2=2r1=2.5=2½.
.
Teach your children about division using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Encourage your children to use their times tables knowledge when dividing, using this sheet that explains how to use chunking.
- When starting teaching division to younger children, use practical equipment so that they can make equal groups, such as in this example that uses pasta.
- Explore this NRICH investigation looking for patterns when dividing 3 digit numbers by a single-digit number.
- Give younger children egg cartons or trays with compartments to share out small objects.
- Give children printed games to practise their division facts.
Resources
- Download our Division Pack for activities and resources.
- Use these Division Tables test PowerPoints to consolidate division facts.
- This Division Vocabulary Poster is a great classroom prompt.
- Use our Division Banner on your display board.
- This set of division sheets gives children lots of practice at division calculations.
- Visit NCETM for materials to teach division.
Division Facts
- Division is the inverse of multiplication. If you know 6×2=3, you also know that 6÷3=2, for example.
- The proper name for a division sign ÷ is an obelus.
- Sometimes the / symbol is used to mean divide, so 6/2=6÷2.
- The word divide comes from the Latin word dividere, meaning to force apart.
Videos
KS2 – Long Division
This video gives a very clear demonstration of the long division method.
Running time: 5:43
Year 1 Division by sharing
A super short video showing how to divide by sharing.
Running time: 1:29
Dividing using repeated subtraction
Who can help Mrs Barker divide treats between her dogs?
Running time: 3:30
Division as Grouping
This video for younger learners demonstrates how to solve division problems using grouping.
Running time: 6:31
Books
The Doorbell Rang
Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings – and rings and rings and rings.
Spinderella
Spinderella wants to play football with her brothers and sisters, but first she has to learn about numbers.
One Hundred Hungry Ants
What’s the best way to get 100 hungry ants to a picnic?
Multiplication & Division Bumper Book
This useful workbook is packed with multiplication and division activities.
Long Division Workbook
Perfect for older children, with plenty of long division calculations to solve.
Links
- Use your division knowledge to defend your wall in Demolition Division.
- Younger children will love dividing the food between the puppies in this game.
- This interactive array activity is excellent for demonstrating the relationship between multiplication and division.
- Try one of these fun division games.
- Splat the fruit with the correct answer in this game, which has lots of different options.
- Established classroom favourite Hit the Button has a division facts mode.
- Curious George fans will enjoy this sharing game.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
