Math · Stage 4
Short division of 3-4-digit numbers by 1-digit; interpret the remainder
Divide a big number one place-value column at a time, carry what's left to the next column, and then read what the leftover remainder really means.
✦ Math📘 Stage 4 · S4⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 8–9★ Free to start
I can divide 3- and 4-digit numbers by a single digit using short division.
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Kavi Shares the Harvest 🌾
Kavi has 936 acorns to share fairly among 3 friends. "Too many to count one by one!" hoots Kavi. "I'll share them column by column — hundreds first, then tens, then ones — and if any are left over, I'll know exactly what to do with them 🌾."
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What your child will learn
1Share the hundreds, then tens, then onesShort division works left to right, one place-value column at a time. Build 936: that's 9 hundreds, 3 tens, 6 ones. To do 936 ÷ 3, share each column by 3 in turn — 9 hundreds ÷ 3 = 3 hundreds, 3 tens ÷ 3 = 1 ten, 6 ones ÷ 3 = 2 ones.
2When it doesn't share evenlyNot every number shares evenly. The lit numbers are the multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12 … 48. To work out 38 ÷ 4, find the biggest multiple of 4 that is not past 38 — that's 36 (which is 9 fours). 38 is 2 more than 36.
3Split off the part that shares evenlyA remainder is just the piece that won't split evenly. Here the whole is 38. Tap ◀ less and more ▶ to split it into 36 + 2. The 36 shares into 4s perfectly (that's the quotient, 9); the 2 is the remainder.
4Reading the remainder in a real storyThe same remainder can mean different things. 38 children need cars that each seat 4. Hop along in 4s: each hop is one full car. Tap Hop +4 to count the cars.
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A peek inside
Use short division: 936 ÷ 3.
9 hundreds ÷ 3 = 3, 3 tens ÷ 3 = 1, 6 ones ÷ 3 = 2
Try this at home: Short division (shares evenly): 846 ÷ 2 = __ · 963 ÷ 3 = __ · 884 ÷ 4 = __
Ready to play and learn?
Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.
Part of Math · Stage 4 · S4 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.