6th grade · Math · Unit 19 of 21
Long Division
Divide big numbers step by step
What your child practices
Dividing multi-digit numbers with the standard algorithm (divide, multiply, subtract, bring down), including two-digit divisors and word problems where the remainder matters.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-6.NS.2 · fluently dividing multi-digit numbers with the standard algorithm
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down: repeat until every digit is used.
- Start with the fewest digits on the left that the divisor fits into.
- Check by multiplying the answer by the divisor.
Example: 1176 ÷ 24 = ? 24 goes into 117 four times: 4 × 24 = 96, and 117 − 96 = 21. Bring down the 6: 216. 24 goes into 216 nine times exactly. Check: 49 × 24 = 1176. Answer: 49
Long Division in New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 19 of 21 in 6th grade Math, after Samples & Populations and before Perfect Squares & Cubes.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Divide.
6699 ÷ 33 = ?
- 2030
- 213
- 20
- 203
203
Hint: Divide from the left: how many 33s fit in the first digits? Multiply, subtract, bring down the next digit, and repeat. Check: 203 × 33 should be 6699.
Question 2
1624 students go on a trip. Each bus holds 45 students. How many buses are needed?
- 36
- 4
- 38
- 37
37
Hint: 1624 ÷ 45 = 36 R 4. The 4 students left over need one more bus.
Question 3
Divide.
3944 ÷ 17 = ?
- 23
- 2320
- 222
- 232
232
Hint: Divide from the left: how many 17s fit in the first digits? Multiply, subtract, bring down the next digit, and repeat. Check: 232 × 17 should be 3944.
Question 4
To divide 504 by 12, Mia finds 12 goes into 50 4 times. 4 × 12 = 48. What does she do next?
- add 48 to 50
- bring down the 4 without subtracting
- subtract to get 2, then bring down the 4
- write 48 in the answer
subtract to get 2, then bring down the 4
Hint: Divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. Then divide again.
Question 5
A farm packs 5064 eggs into cartons of 24. How many cartons?
- 210
- 212
- 211
- 221
211
Hint: Divide 5064 by 24.
Question 6
Divide.
920 ÷ 23 = ?
- 4
- 40
- 50
- 400
40
Hint: Divide from the left: how many 23s fit in the first digits? Multiply, subtract, bring down the next digit, and repeat. Check: 40 × 23 should be 920.