Division is a mathematical operation that splits a number into equal parts or groups. It is the operation of determining how many times one number is contained within another. Division vocabulary helps you describe and understand the processes, terms, and symbols used when working with division problems in English.
Four main categories explain division vocabulary:
- Keywords: Basic terms used in division problems and sentences.
- Symbols and Phrases: Common signs and expressions for dividing.
- Parts of a Division Problem: Names for the numbers and results involved.
- Types of Division: Different kinds of division you might encounter.
Keywords
These are the fundamental words you need to talk about division in English. They include verbs, nouns, and adjectives that describe the act of dividing, the operation itself, and related concepts.
| English Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Example: Division | Example: English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| divide | verb | to separate a number into equal parts or groups | Divide 12 by 3. | Divide 12 by | Divide 12 by |
| division | noun | the process of dividing numbers | Division is one of the four basic operations. | Division of 20 by | Division of 20 by |
| quotient | noun | the result of a division problem | The quotient of 15 ÷ 3 is 5. | Quotient of 15 ÷ | Quotient of 15 ÷ 3 is |
| remainder | noun | what is left over after division if the numbers don’t divide evenly | ÷ 3 leaves a remainder of 1. | Remainder of 10 ÷ | Remainder of 10 ÷ 3 is |
| equal parts | noun phrase | parts that are the same size or value | Divide the cake into equal parts. | Divide into equal parts | Divide into equal parts |
| share | verb/noun | to divide and distribute something among people | Share 12 apples equally. | Share 12 apples | Share 12 apples equally |
| split | verb | to divide something into parts | Split 20 into 4 groups. | Split 20 into groups | Split 20 into 4 groups |
| half | noun | one of two equal parts | Half of 10 is 5. | Half of | Half of 10 is |
| third | noun | one of three equal parts | One third of 9 is 3. | One third of | One third of 9 is |
| fraction | noun | a number that represents a part of a whole | ½ and ⅓ are fractions. | Fraction ½ | Fraction ½ represents one part |
Symbols and Phrases
These are the common symbols and spoken phrases you use to write and talk about division problems in English. They help you understand how division is represented in both math and everyday language.
| English Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Example: Division | Example: English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ÷ (division sign) | symbol | a symbol meaning “divided by” | ÷ 4 = 3 | ÷ 4 = 3 | divided by 4 equals 3 |
| / (slash) | symbol | a symbol used to show division or fractions | / 2 = 4 | / 2 = 4 | divided by 2 equals 4 |
| \ (backslash) | symbol | (less common) sometimes used in computing for division | N/A (not common in math) | N/A | N/A |
| divide by | phrase | to perform division with a certain number | Divide 10 by 5. | Divide 10 by | Divide 10 by |
| over | preposition | used to read fractions or division expressions | Three over four means ¾. | over 4 | Three over four means ¾ |
| out of | phrase | used to express parts of a total | Two out of five students passed. | out of 5 | Two out of five |
| per | preposition | used to express ratios or division | miles per hour means 60 ÷ 1 hour. | miles per hour | Sixty miles per hour |
| divided by | phrase | describes the operation of division | divided by 3 equals 3. | divided by 3 | divided by 3 is 3 |
| equals | verb | shows the result of a calculation | ÷ 2 equals 3. | ÷ 2 = 3 | Six divided by two equals three |
| is | verb | used informally in math to mean “equals” | ÷ 2 is 2. | ÷ 2 is 2 | Four divided by two is two |
Parts of a Division Problem
These are the names of the numbers and results you see in a division problem. Knowing these terms helps you describe how division works and explain answers clearly.
| English Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Example: Division | Example: English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dividend | noun | the number being divided | In 20 ÷ 5, 20 is the dividend. | Dividend: | In 20 ÷ 5, 20 is the dividend |
| divisor | noun | the number that divides the dividend | In 20 ÷ 5, 5 is the divisor. | Divisor: | In 20 ÷ 5, 5 is the divisor |
| quotient | noun | the result of division | The quotient of 20 ÷ 5 is 4. | Quotient: | The quotient is |
| remainder | noun | what is left after division if it’s not exact | ÷ 5 leaves a remainder of 2. | Remainder: | Two is the remainder |
| factor | noun | a number that divides another number evenly | is a factor of 20. | Factor of | is a factor of 20 |
| multiple | noun | a product of a number and an integer | is a multiple of 5. | Multiple of | is a multiple of 5 |
| grouping | noun | dividing into equal groups | Group 12 into 3 groups. | Grouping | Group 12 into groups |
| part | noun | a portion of a whole | Divide 10 into 5 parts. | Parts of | Ten divided into parts |
| whole | noun | the complete amount before dividing | The whole is 24 apples. | Whole: | The whole is |
| equal share | noun phrase | an identical portion given to each group or person | Each person gets an equal share. | Equal share | Each gets an equal share |
In the division problem 20 ÷ 5, what do we call the number 20?
dividend
The 'dividend' is the number being divided. In 20 ÷ 5, 20 is the dividend.
Types of Division
These terms describe different ways division can appear, from simple whole-number division to more complex forms involving decimals and fractions.
| English Word | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence | Example: Division | Example: English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| simple division | noun phrase | division without remainders or decimals | ÷ 3 = 4 is simple division. | Simple division | ÷ 3 = 4 |
| long division | noun phrase | a step-by-step method for dividing large numbers | Use long division to divide 125 ÷ 5. | Long division | Use long division |
| division with remainder | noun phrase | division where something is left over | ÷ 4 = 3 remainder 2. | Remainder example | ÷ 4 = 3 remainder 2 |
| exact division | noun phrase | division that results in a whole number or decimal without leftovers | ÷ 5 = 4 is exact division. | Exact division | ÷ 5 = 4 |
| decimal division | noun phrase | division that results in a decimal number | ÷ 2 = 3.5 is decimal division. | Decimal division | ÷ 2 = 3.5 |
| fraction division | noun phrase | dividing fractions or using fractions in division | ½ ÷ ¼ = 2 is fraction division. | Fraction division | ½ ÷ ¼ = |
| division by zero | noun phrase | an undefined operation that is not allowed in math | Division by zero is impossible. | Division by zero | Division by zero is undefined |
| equal sharing | noun phrase | dividing something evenly among people or groups | Equal sharing means everyone gets the same amount. | Equal sharing | Share equally |
| ratio | noun | a comparison between two quantities, often using division | The ratio of 8 to 2 is 4:1. | Ratio of 8 to | Ratio is 4 to |
| split into groups | phrase | dividing a total number into smaller, equal groups | Split 18 into 6 groups. | Split into groups | Divide into groups |
Division vocabulary allows you to describe, perform, and explain division problems clearly in English.
What does the phrase ‘split into groups’ mean in the context of division?
divide a total into smaller, equal groups
‘Split into groups’ means dividing a total into smaller, equal groups.
What is the name of the step-by-step method used for dividing large numbers?
long division
Long division is a step-by-step method for dividing large numbers.
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- Part of Speech: verb
- Definition: to separate a number into equal parts or groups
- Example Sentence: Divide 12 by 3.
- Example: Division: Divide 12 by 3
- English Word: divide
- Example: English: Divide 12 by 3
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
