how to do long division

To do long division, you break a big division problem down into a cycle of four simple steps: Divide, Multiply, Subtract, and Bring Down. You repeat this cycle from left to right until you have used every digit.

1. Set Up the Problem

Before you start calculating, arrange your numbers around the division bracket (⟌).

• Dividend. Put the big number you are splitting up inside the bracket.
• Divisor. Put the number you are dividing by on the outside to the left.
• Quotient. Write your final answer on the top line above the bracket as you go.

1. Follow the Four Steps

A popular trick to remember the order is the phrase “Does McDonald’s Sell Burgers?” (Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring down). Let’s walk through an example using 768 ÷ 3:

• Divide. Look at the first digit inside the bracket (7). Ask how many times 3 goes into 7 without going over. It goes in 2 times, so write 2 on top directly above the 7.
• Multiply. Multiply that top number (2) by the outside divisor (3). 2 × 3 = 6, so write 6 directly underneath the 7.
• Subtract. Subtract the bottom number from the top number. 7 – 6 = 1, so write 1 below the line.
• Bring Down. Look at the next digit inside the bracket (6) and draw an arrow to bring it straight down next to your 1. This creates the new number 16.

1. Repeat Until Finished

Once you bring a digit down, go right back to the first step with your new number (16).

• Round 2 (16). 3 goes into 16 5 times (write 5 on top next to the 2). Multiply 5 × 3 = 15, subtract 16 – 15 = 1, and bring down the last digit (8) to make 18.
• Round 3 (18). 3 goes into 18 6 times (write 6 on top). Multiply 6 × 3 = 18, and subtract 18 – 18 = 0.
• Final Answer. Since there are no more digits to bring down and you ended with 0, your answer on top is 256.

Watch this step-by-step video walkthrough to see the layout and rhythm of long division in action:

Helpful Tips

• What if the first digit is too small? If the outside number cannot fit into the first digit inside, just group the first two digits together to start. For example, in 384 ÷ 6, 6 does not fit into 3, so you start by dividing 6 into 38.
• What if you have leftovers at the end? If your final subtraction does not equal 0 and there are no more digits to bring down, that leftover number is your remainder (written as R followed by the number). You can also add a decimal point and zeros to keep dividing.