Division is when you split something into equal parts or find out how many times one number fits into another. This guide covers basic terms and useful examples for everyday math.
Vocabulary
Here are common words used when talking about division problems.
| English Word(s) | English Explanation(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| divisor | the number you divide by | |
| dividend | the number you divide | |
| quotient | the result of dividing | |
| remainder | what is left over after dividing | |
| to divide | to split into equal parts or calculate how many times | |
| to share | to give out equally in parts | |
| to split | to break into parts or groups | |
| equal parts | parts that are the same size or amount |
The(divisor) determines how many parts you split the dividend into.
Key Terms
The dividend goes inside, the divisor divides, and the quotient is the answer of a division problem.
Division Symbol
Division can be shown with ÷, /, or a fraction bar. All mean splitting or dividing.
Examples
Practice
Try dividing small numbers and naming the dividend, divisor, and quotient to get comfortable.
| English Problem | English Hint | |
|---|---|---|
| There are 15 apples and 5 baskets. How many apples per basket? | Divide 15 apples into 5 equal groups. | |
| 20 apples and 4 baskets. Share equally. | Each basket gets the same number of apples. | |
| 18 apples into 6 baskets. Find the quotient. | How many apples in one basket? | |
| 22 apples and 5 baskets. Any remainder? | Some baskets may have one more apple. |
Summary
Division breaks a number into equal parts; the dividend is divided by the divisor to get the quotient, and sometimes there is a remainder.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025