ffirs.indd

132 Speed Math for Kids
We could ask, what do we multiply by 4 to get an answer of 33, or
as close to 33 as we can without going above? Four times 8 is 32, so
the answer is 8. We subtract 32 from the number we are dividing to
fi nd the remainder (what is left over).
Dividing larger numbers
Here is how we would divide a larger number. To divide 3,721 by 4,
we would set up the problem like this:
4 3,721
Or like this:
4 3,721
We begin from the left-hand side of the number we are dividing.
Th ree is the fi rst digit on the left. We begin by asking, what do you
multiply by 4 to get an answer of 3?
Th ree is less than 4, so we can’t evenly divide 3 by 4. So we join
the 3 to the next digit, 7, to make 37. What do we multiply by
4 to get an answer of 37? Th ere is no whole number that gives
you 37 when you multiply it by 4. We now ask, what will give an
answer just below 37? Th e answer is 9, because 9 × 4 = 36. Th at is
as close to 37 as we can get without going above. So, the answer is
9 (9 × 4 = 36), with 1 left over to make 37. One is our remainder.
We would write “9” above the 7 in 37 (or below, depending on
how you set up the problem). Th e 1 left over is carried to the next
digit and put in front of it. Th e 1 carried changes the next number
from 2 to 12.
Th e calculation now looks like this:
9
4 3,7^121