Answer:
the acronym DMSB, which stands for:
D = Divide
M = Multiply
S = Subtract
B = Bring down
This sequence of letters can be hard to remember, so think of the acronym in the context of a family:
Dad, Mother, Sister, Brother.
Write D M S B in the corner of your worksheet to remember the sequence you’re about to use.
How to write it down
First, you have to write down the problem in long division format. A typical division problem looks like this:
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient
To write this down in long division format it looks like this:
Long division
Let’s try a fairly simple example:
65 ÷ 5 = ?
Now, let’s write that problem down in the long division format:
Long division
We’re ready to start using the acronym: D M S B
Step 1: D for Divide
How many times will 5 go into 65? That’s too hard to work out in your head, so let’s break it down into smaller steps.
The first problem you’ll work out in this equation is how many times can you divide 5 into 6. The answer is 1. So you put 1 on the quotient line.
Long division
Step 2: M for Multiply
You multiply your answer from step 1 and your divisor: 1 x 5 = 5. You write 5 under the 6.
Long division
Step 3: S for Subtract
Next you subtract. In this case it will be 6 – 5 = 1.
Long division
Step 4: B for Bring down
The last step in the sequence is to bring down the next number from the dividend, which in this case is 5. You write the 5 next to the 1, making the number 15.
Long division
Now you start all over again:
Step 1: D for Divide
How many times can you divide 5 into 15. The answer is 3. So you put 3 on the quotient line.
Long division
Step 2: M for Multiply
You multiply your answer from step 1 and your divisor: 3 x 5 = 15. Write this underneath the 15.
Long division
Step 3: S for Subtract
Now we subtract 15 from 15. 15 – 15 = 0.
Long division
There is no need for step 4. We have finished the problem.
Explanation: