What are the four steps of long division?

The four steps are Divide, Multiply, Subtract, and Bring down. You repeat this loop for each digit, working from left to right, until there are no more digits to bring down. Some pupils remember the order with 'Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother'.

What is a remainder in division?

A remainder is the amount left over when a number cannot be shared into equal groups exactly. For example, 13 cookies shared onto 3 plates gives 4 each with 1 cookie left over, so the remainder is 1.

At what age or level do Singapore children learn long division?

Singapore pupils are usually introduced to formal long division in Primary 3 to Primary 4, after they are confident with multiplication tables and place value. It is then used throughout the rest of primary school for larger numbers, fractions and decimals.

Why do we write division in a 'house' or bracket?

The bracket keeps the digits lined up by place value as you work through each step. The number being shared goes inside the house and the number of groups goes outside, which helps you put each part of the answer in the correct column.

How can I check if a long division answer is correct?

Multiply your answer (the quotient) by the number you divided by, then add any remainder. If the result equals the original number, the answer is correct. For example, 96 ÷ 3 = 32, and 32 × 3 = 96.

Long Division

Math Interactive lesson Free to play

Long division is a step-by-step method for dividing a large number by another number using a repeating loop of four actions: divide, multiply, subtract, and bring down the next digit. The number being shared is written inside a division 'house' (the bracket), the number of groups sits outside, and you work through the digits from left to right, one at a time.

It matters because it lets you handle divisions that are too big to do in your head — like 96 ÷ 3 or 4-digit problems — and it builds the place-value thinking pupils need for fractions, decimals and word problems later in primary school. Along the way learners meet the idea of a remainder: the amount left over when a number does not share out evenly, such as 13 cookies on 3 plates leaving 1 over.

The key concepts are setting up the division correctly, remembering the divide–multiply–subtract–bring-down loop, and checking each step before moving on. Mastering it gives children a reliable way to tackle any division, big or small.

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Big numbers, no problem!

➗🧮 Long Division Long division is a neat way to share a big number into equal groups — one digit at a time. Imagine sharing 84 stickers between 4 friends fairly. 🌟 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Everyone gets the same amount! By the end you'll do this with confidence. Tap Next to begin!
The 4 magic steps

The 4 magic steps 🪄 Long division repeats four steps in a loop. Remember them with: Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother 👆 Tap each card to see what it means DDivide How many times does the divisor fit? Write it on top. MMultiply Multiply that answer by the divisor. SSubtract Take it away to see what is left over. BBring down Bring down the next digit and start again!
Set it up

Setting up the house 🏠 We write division in a special "house". The number being shared goes inside, the number of groups goes outside. 48 4 4 = how many groups (the divisor) 84 = what we are sharing (it lives in the house) The answer will sit on the roof. 🏠 We always work from left to right — the biggest place value first.
Step 1: Divide

Step 1 — Divide 🍕 Look at the first digit inside the house. For 84 ÷ 4, that digit is 8. How many times does 4 go into 8? 1 2 3 4 Hint: count in fours… 4, 8. That's two jumps to reach 8!
Do it together

Let's solve 84 ÷ 4 together 🚀 Tap Next step to watch each magic step appear. 48 4 Ready when you are! 😊 Next step ▶ Restart ↺
What about leftovers?

Leftovers = remainders 🍪 Sometimes a number won't share evenly. Whatever is left over is called the remainder. 13 cookies shared on 3 plates — tap cookies onto each plate, 4 each. Drop the rest in the leftover box! Plate 1 Plate 2 Plate 3 Leftover box (remainder): So 13 ÷ 3 = 4 remainder 1, written 4 r 1.
Your turn

Your turn — 96 ÷ 3 🎯 Use the 4 magic steps. First: how many times does 3 go into 9? Then into 6? ? ? 39 6 What is 96 ÷ 3? 23 32 33 36
You did it!

🎉🏆🎉 You're a long-division star! Remember the loop: Divide → Multiply → Subtract → Bring down → repeat! Put the big number in the house, work left to right. The answer grows on the roof, one digit at a time. Anything left at the end is the remainder (r). Now try sharing big numbers all by yourself. You've got this! 💪

Frequently asked questions

What are the four steps of long division?: The four steps are Divide, Multiply, Subtract, and Bring down. You repeat this loop for each digit, working from left to right, until there are no more digits to bring down. Some pupils remember the order with 'Dad, Mum, Sister, Brother'.
What is a remainder in division?: A remainder is the amount left over when a number cannot be shared into equal groups exactly. For example, 13 cookies shared onto 3 plates gives 4 each with 1 cookie left over, so the remainder is 1.
At what age or level do Singapore children learn long division?: Singapore pupils are usually introduced to formal long division in Primary 3 to Primary 4, after they are confident with multiplication tables and place value. It is then used throughout the rest of primary school for larger numbers, fractions and decimals.
Why do we write division in a 'house' or bracket?: The bracket keeps the digits lined up by place value as you work through each step. The number being shared goes inside the house and the number of groups goes outside, which helps you put each part of the answer in the correct column.
How can I check if a long division answer is correct?: Multiply your answer (the quotient) by the number you divided by, then add any remainder. If the result equals the original number, the answer is correct. For example, 96 ÷ 3 = 32, and 32 × 3 = 96.

Long Division

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Frequently asked questions

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