What are the different ways to divide?
You can use many different strategies to find the answer to a division problem. One strategy is to use repeated subtraction. To find 123 ÷ 36, think: How many groups of 36 are there in 123? Start with 123. Subtract 36 repeatedly. Count how many times you subtracted: 123 − 36 = 87 (1); 87 − 36 = 51 (2); 51 − 36 = 15 (3); 15 < 36. There are 3 groups of 36 in 123 with 15 left over. Therefore, 123 ÷ 36 = 3 R15.
Another strategy is to use what is sometimes called long division. The algorithm for long division is estimate, multiply, subtract, bring down, and repeat as needed. To find 123 ÷ 36, start with the estimate 120 ÷ 40 = 3. Then use this estimate to help you place the first digit in the quotient of the division algorithm.