# Divide

In general, a typical year consists of 365 days and 12 months; from this are we able to find the number of weeks a specific year will have. Yes, this can be found when we know the number of days a week has. Thus, by dividing the number of days in a year by 7, we can get the number of weeks. Similarly, in many situations, we will use the word divide knowingly or unknowingly. For example, to share 100 sweets equally among 25 children, we have to divide 100 by 25 to get the number of sweets to be given to each child.

## Divide Meaning

The meaning of divide is to separate into two or more equal parts, areas, classes, categories, groups or divisions. In simple words, the meaning of divide is to distribute the whole thing to a group in equal parts or making equal parts. Suppose, a diagonal of a square divides it into two triangles of equal area. The result of a division operation may or may not be an integer. Sometimes, the result will be in the form of decimal numbers.

## Divide Symbol

The symbol used to represent divide or division is ÷ , slash (/) or a horizontal line ( _ ). These symbols are used as per convenience while dealing with various types of problems and calculations. Also, x/y or $\frac{x}{y}$ can be read as “x by y” or “x over y”. For example, the division of 60 by 5 can be expressed as:

60 ÷ 5 = 12

60/5 = 12

Or

$\frac{60}{5}$ = 12

Thus, the result is the same in all the three representations.

### Dividend

In the above example, the numbers 60, 5 and 12 are termed as the dividend, division and quotient, respectively. Dividend is the number that is divided by some other number. The relation of these numbers can be expressed using division formula given below:

Dividend = Divisor x Quotient + Remainder

Now, one may get a doubt on how to perform the division of numbers to get the exact remainder or equivalent or exact result as the quotient. Click here to know how to divide the numbers in detail.

### Divide Sums

We know that division is one the primary arithmetic operations in maths. This is used in solving and simplifying various types of sums and expressions. Below are a few sums with solutions which involve division operation.

Divide 375 by 5:

375/5 = 75

Divide 226 by 4:

226/4 = 56.2

Divide 784 by 14:

784/14 = 56

Also, go through the division sums which include various types of numbers and expressions.

### Divide Fractions

We can also perform division operations on fractions. While dividing fractions, the division operator needs to be converted into multiplication. This can be understood in a better way using the example given below:

Divide 2/3 by 4/5:

Numerator = ⅔

Denominator = ⅘

Thus, (⅔)/ (⅘)

This can be written as:

(2/3) × (5/4)

= (1/3) × (5/2)

= 5/6

Therefore, (⅔)/ (⅘) = 5/6

### Divide Decimals

In maths, division of decimal numbers can be observed in many concepts such as algebra, geometry and other numerical concepts. The division of decimals is quite similar to that of fractions. Let’s have a look at the below example to understand the division of decimals.

Divide the decimal 0.256 by 0.08:

0.256/0.08

First, we have to express the given decimals in terms of fractions as:

0.256 = 256/1000

0.08 = 8/100

Thus, 0.256/0.08 = (256/1000)/ (8/100)

Now, convert the division into multiplication as explained while solving for fractions.

= (256/1000) × (100/8)

= (256/80)

= 3.2

Therefore, 0.256/0.08 = 3.2

### Divide Polynomials

Unlike numbers and fractions, polynomials can also be divided by another polynomial. However, polynomial division can be performed in two methods. One is the polynomial long division, which is quite similar to the division of numbers but polynomial expressions will appear instead of numbers. Another method of dividing polynomials is synthetic division.

## Divide Problems

Below are a few practice problems on dividing various types of numbers.

1. Simplify: 1286 ÷ 14
2. Calculate: 1.256 ÷ 0.34
3. Divide 98/15 by 65/46.
4. How many pens does each student get when 200 pens are distributed among 40 students equally?

## Frequently Asked Questions on Divide

### What is divide in math?

In maths, the meaning of divide is to operate division, i.e., to see how many times a divisor goes into another number. x divided by y is written as x/y or x ÷ y. This can be read as “x by y” or “x over y”.

### How do you divide division?

To divide the given numbers, the long division method is preferred for better understanding, especially when the result of the quotient is not an integer.

### What are the 3 parts of division?

The three main parts of any division process are namely dividend, divisor and the quotient. There is another parameter which is 0 in some problems and integer in some, that is called the remainder.

### What is a divided by 1?

There is a fact in the division process which is always true, irrespective of the number or expression in the place of a numerator or dividend and the fact is any number or expression divided by 1, the result is always equal to the number or expression being divided.

### Can 1 be divided by anything?

No, when 1 is divided by any number or expression, the result will be a positive integer except for 1. All the other numbers will result in decimal numbers when they divide 1.

### What is 1 divided half?

We know that, while dividing numbers by fraction, the division operation should be converted to multiplication. Thus, 1 divided by half (i.e., 1/2) can be performed as given below:

1/ (1/2) = 1 × (2/1) = 2