Three divides into 27 exactly 9 times (9 × 3 = 27), so the next digit of the answer is 9.Because the decimal point follows the 7 in the number we are dividing, it will follow the digit in the
answer below the 7.
We continue as before. Three divides into 8 two times with 2 remainder. Two is the next digit of the
answer. We carry the remainder, 2, to the next digit.
Because there is no next digit, we must supply a digit ourselves. We can write a whole string of zeros
after the last digit following a decimal point without changing the number.
We will calculate our answer to two decimal places, so we must make another division to see how we
round off our answer. We write two more zeros to make three digits after the decimal.
Three divides into 20 six times (6 × 3 = 18), with 2 remainder. The remainder is carried to the next
digit, making 20 again. Because we will keep ending up with 2 remainder, you can see that this will go
on forever. Three divides into 20 six times with 2 remainder, and this will continue infinitely.
Because we are calculating to two decimal places, we have to decide whether to round off upwards or
downwards. If the next digit after our required number of decimal places is 5 or above we round off
upwards; if the next digit is below 5 we round down. The third digit is 6 so we round the second digit
off to 7. Our answer is 189.27.
Simple division using circles
Just as our method with circles can be used to multiply numbers easily, it can also be used in reverse for
division. The method works best for division by 7, 8 and 9. I think it is easier to use the short division
method we have just looked at, but you can try using the circles if you are still not sure of your tables.
Let’s try a simple example, 56 ÷ 8:
Here is how it works. We are dividing 56 by 8. We set the problem out as above, or, if you prefer, you
can set the problem out like below. Stick to the way you have been taught.
I will explain using the first layout. We draw a circle below the 8 (the number we are dividing by —