Year 4 · Mathematics
Division for Year 4: sharing, grouping and remainders
Division is about sharing into equal groups, or finding how many groups fit. Because division is the opposite of multiplication, knowing your times tables makes division much easier.
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Try asking: “How do I divide 84 by 4?”
Sharing and grouping
12 ÷ 3 can mean sharing 12 lollies between 3 friends (each gets 4), or finding how many groups of 3 are in 12 (there are 4 groups). Both give the same answer.
Use the related multiplication fact
To work out 56 ÷ 7, ask: 7 times what makes 56? Since 7 × 8 = 56, the answer is 8.
Splitting bigger numbers
For 84 ÷ 4, split 84 into 80 and 4. Divide each part by 4 and add the results.
Remainders
Sometimes a number doesn't share equally. 29 ÷ 5 is 5 remainder 4: five groups of 5 make 25, and 4 are left over.
Worked examples
What is 56 ÷ 7?
- Think: 7 × ? = 56.
- 7 × 8 = 56.
Answer: 8
What is 84 ÷ 4?
- Split 84 into 80 + 4.
- 80 ÷ 4 = 20 and 4 ÷ 4 = 1.
- 20 + 1 = 21.
Answer: 21
Share 29 stickers between 5 friends.
- 5 × 5 = 25, which is the closest fact without going over.
- 29 − 25 = 4 left over.
Answer: Each friend gets 5 stickers, with 4 left over.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Dividing the smaller number by the bigger one (writing 3 ÷ 12 instead of 12 ÷ 3).
- Having a remainder bigger than the number you are dividing by.
Practice questions
Try these, then reveal the answers. For more questions with hints, use the tutor.
1. What is 72 ÷ 8?
Show answer
9
2. What is 63 ÷ 9?
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7
3. What is 96 ÷ 3?
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32
4. What is 120 ÷ 10?
Show answer
12
5. 45 ÷ 6 is how many, with what remainder?
Show answer
7 remainder 3