Master Long Division: 16 Divided by 2 Step-by-Step

Long division is a fundamental math skill that everyone should master. If you’ve ever wondered how to divide 16 by 2 using long division, look no further! In this step-by-step tutorial, we will guide you through the process and demystify the concept of long division.

Long division might seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to divide numbers with ease. So let’s dive into the process of dividing 16 by 2 using long division.

Key Takeaways:

• Long division is a fundamental math skill that allows you to divide numbers.
• The process of long division can be broken down into multiple steps.
• To divide 16 by 2 using long division, follow the step-by-step instructions provided in this tutorial.
• By mastering long division, you’ll enhance your mathematical skills and be better equipped for more complex calculations.
• Practice and patience are key to mastering long division.

Set Up the Division Equation

Before diving into the steps of long division, it’s important to set up the division equation correctly. This ensures a smooth and accurate division process. To set up the division equation, follow these simple instructions:

1. Write the dividend (the number being divided) on the right side, under the division symbol (÷).
2. Write the divisor (the number dividing the dividend) to the left on the outside.
3. Leave some space below the equation for multiple subtraction operations.

Let’s take an example to illustrate this. Suppose we want to divide 16 by 2 using long division. We would set up the division equation as follows:

16 ÷ 2

Now that we have our division equation ready, we can proceed to the next steps in the long division process.

Note: It’s crucial to correctly place the dividend and divisor in the equation to avoid confusion and errors during the division.

Divide the First Digit

Now that we have set up the division equation, it’s time to start dividing. We will begin with the first digit of the dividend. In this case, the first digit is 1. Our divisor is 2.

To determine how many times the divisor can go into the first digit, we ask ourselves: How many times does 2 fit into 1?

Unfortunately, 2 is larger than 1, so it doesn’t fit at all. The answer is 0. We write this above the division symbol to represent the first digit of the quotient.

Divide the first digit (1) of the dividend by the divisor (2). Since 2 is larger than 1, the answer is 0.

Since we couldn’t divide 1 by 2, we bring down the next digit of the dividend and move on to the next step in the long division process. Keep reading to find out what happens next!

Divide the First Two Digits

Once you have determined the quotient for the first digit, it’s time to divide the first two digits of the dividend. In our example, the dividend is 16. The divisor remains the same at 2.

Step 1: Expand the number by one digit, bringing down the next digit of the dividend. The result now becomes 16.

Step 2: Ask yourself, how many times can the divisor (2) go into the first two digits of the dividend (16)? In this case, the answer is 8. 2 can go into 16 a total of 8 times.

The first two digits of the dividend, 16, can be divided evenly by the divisor, 2, resulting in a quotient of 8.

By dividing the first two digits, we have successfully completed another step in the long division process. Let’s move on to the next step and continue dividing the remaining digits of the dividend.

Enter the First Digit of the Quotient

Now that we have determined how many times the divisor (2) can go into the first digit(s) of the dividend (16), it’s time to enter the first digit of the quotient. In this case, the digit is 8.

Remember, the quotient is the result of the division, so it represents the whole number answer to the division problem.

By placing the digit 8 above the appropriate digit(s) of the dividend (16), we indicate that the divisor can go into those digits a certain number of times. This helps us keep track of the division process and ensures an accurate quotient.

Let’s illustrate this step with an example:

In the example above, the digit 8 is placed above the digit 1 of the dividend, indicating that the divisor 2 can go into the first digit of the dividend 8 times.

By visually representing the division steps in a table, we can easily follow the long division process and ensure accuracy in calculating the quotient.

Now that we have entered the first digit of the quotient, let’s proceed to the next step of the long division process.

Multiply the Divisor

Now that you have determined the number of times the divisor (2) can go into the first digit(s) of the dividend (16), it’s time to multiply the divisor. In this case, we have 2 times 8, which equals 16.

This step is crucial for finding the product that will be subtracted from the dividend in the next step of the long division process.

Example:

Dividend: 16

Divisor: 2

First digit of the quotient: 8

Divisor multiplied by quotient digit: 2 times 8 = 16

By multiplying the divisor by the digit of the quotient, we ensure that the product aligns correctly with the dividend for the subsequent step.

Record the Product

Once you have multiplied the divisor by the quotient digit, it’s time to record the product below the dividend. In our example of dividing 16 by 2, the product of 2 multiplied by 8 is 16.

Make sure to align the product directly beneath the dividend, ensuring that the numbers are neatly arranged. This step is crucial for maintaining the clarity and accuracy of your long division work.

Divide and Subtract

One of the crucial steps in the long division process is to divide and subtract. This step helps us determine the next digit of the quotient. Let’s understand how it works.

After multiplying the divisor (2) by the previous digit of the quotient (8) and writing the result (16) below the dividend (16), we need to subtract the result from the digits of the dividend directly above it. In this case, we subtract 16 from 16, and the result is 0.

This subtraction process is important because it helps us identify the difference between the dividend and the product of the multiplication. By subtracting, we eliminate a portion of the dividend and move closer to finding the next digit of the quotient.

Let’s take a closer look:

16

– 16

0

This visual representation shows how the subtraction is performed. The dividend (16) is subtracted by the product of the multiplication (16). The result is written as a new line below the dividend and aligned with the previous line. In this case, we obtain a remainder of 0, indicating that the subtraction is exact.

By dividing and subtracting, we narrow down the dividend and prepare for the next step in the long division process. The dividend becomes the remainder, and we continue dividing until there are no more digits left in the dividend. Each iteration brings us closer to finding the complete quotient.

For a detailed explanation and examples of the long division process, you can visit Wikipedia’s page on long division.

Bring Down the Next Digit

After subtracting the previous digit, it’s time to bring down the next digit of the dividend and continue the long division process. In this case, the next digit of the dividend is 0.

Here are the steps to bring down the next digit:

1. Write the next digit of the dividend (0) below the result of the subtraction.

Let’s take a look at an example:

Dividend: 16

Divisor: 2

Quotient: 8

Remainder: 0

After subtracting 16 from 16, we bring down the next digit of the dividend, which is 0. The new dividend becomes 0.

Step-by-Step Example:

1. Step 1: Divide the first digit (1) of the dividend (16) by the divisor (2), resulting in a quotient of 0.
2. Step 2: Bring down the next digit (0) of the dividend.
3. Step 3: Divide the new dividend (0) by the divisor (2), resulting in a quotient of 0.
4. Step 4: The remainder is 0, indicating that the division process has been completed.

Now that we have brought down the next digit, we can continue with the long division process and divide the new number by the divisor. This will allow us to find the next digit of the quotient.

Repeat the Division Process

Once you have divided the first set of digits and recorded the quotient, it’s time to repeat the division process with the new number. This ensures that you continue dividing until there are no more digits left in the dividend. Let’s go through the steps again:

1. Take the new number (in this case, the result of the previous subtraction) as the new dividend.
2. Divide this new number by the divisor, which remains the same. Write the quotient above the dividend as the next digit of the quotient.
3. Repeat this process until you have divided all the digits of the dividend.

This process of repeating the division allows you to systematically work through each digit and calculate the quotient step by step. It ensures that you don’t miss any digits and get the accurate result. Let’s take a look at an example:

*Note: In this example, there is no remainder, so the division process stops. Now you have the complete quotient for 16 divided by 2.

By following the repeat division process, you can divide any dividend by a divisor using long division. This systematic approach ensures accuracy and helps you arrive at the correct quotient. Remember to repeat the steps until the entire dividend has been divided, and don’t forget to consider any remainders to round if necessary. Mastering long division will provide a solid foundation for solving more complex mathematical problems.

Stop and Round

Once you reach a point in the long division process where you can no longer divide, it’s time to stop and round. This step is crucial for obtaining a final quotient that is accurate and easy to understand.

If there is a remainder after the last division, you need to determine whether to round up or down. To make this decision, look at the remaining digits that are not yet divided. If they are greater than or equal to 5, round up. If they are less than 5, round down.

Let’s take a look at an example to illustrate this:

Dividend: 16

Divisor: 2

Quotient: 8

In this case, after dividing 16 by 2, we get a quotient of 8 with no remainder. Since there are no remaining digits to consider, there is no need to round.

Keep in mind that rounding may be necessary in some division problems. It ensures that the final quotient is rounded to the appropriate number of decimal places or significant figures, depending on the context of the problem.

By following the steps of long division and understanding when to stop and round, you can confidently solve division problems and obtain accurate quotients.

Conclusion

In summary, long division is a straightforward method for dividing numbers, and it is particularly useful when dividing larger dividends by smaller divisors. By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this article, you can easily divide 16 by 2 using long division.

Mastering long division is an essential math skill that forms the foundation for more complex mathematical concepts. It helps build problem-solving abilities and improves numerical fluency. So, by learning and practicing long division, you are developing a crucial skillset that will benefit you throughout your mathematical journey.

If you would like to explore further or need additional guidance, you can visit this resource for more information on long division. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep honing your long division skills to become a confident problem solver!

Source Links

• https://www.emathhelp.net/en/calculators/algebra-1/polynomial-long-division-calculator/
• https://doodlelearning.com/us/math/skills/division/long-division
• https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Long-Division