Explanation
This is an acronym to help you remember the steps for long division. Take the first letter of each word to reveal what it represents.
- Estimate, Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring down, Redo (all steps), Check (by multiplying the quotient - plus any remainder times the divisor).
- Students use compatible numbers to estimate the quotient.
- Then - follow each step to complete the division.
- ALWAYS check by multiplication to find the dividend.
- Note: If it is a decimal number that repeats - it will never be the exact dividend but will round to the exact dividend.
Example: divide 852 by 4.
- Estimate: 8 ÷ 4 = 2, so the first digit of the answer is 2.
- Divide: 8 ÷ 4 = 2.
- Multiply: 2 × 4 = 8.
- Subtract: 8 − 8 = 0.
- Bring down the next digit (5): 0 becomes 5.
- Redo the steps: 5 ÷ 4 = 1, 1 × 4 = 4, 5 − 4 = 1, bring down the 2 to get 12; then 12 ÷ 4 = 3, 3 × 4 = 12, 12 − 12 = 0.
- Check: 213 × 4 = 852, which matches the original number, so the answer is 213.