Topic: Long Division – Understanding Zeros in the Quotient
and Remainder
Long division is a systematic method for dividing numbers. It often involves concepts like
remainders, quotients, and placeholders (zeros). Below, we'll address your questions and related
concepts step by step.
1. Why Do We Add a Zero in the Quotient During Long Division?
In long division, zeros are added to the quotient to maintain the correct place value of the result
when:
1. The remainder is smaller than the divisor.
o This indicates that the divisor cannot divide the current remainder.
2. There are digits left in the dividend to bring down.
o Adding a zero allows you to "bring down" the next digit of the dividend and
continue the division process.
Example 1: Dividing 101 by 5
Let’s divide 101÷5101 \div 5101÷5 step by step:
1. Divide the first digit (10):
o 555 goes into 101010 two times (5×2=105 \times 2 = 105×2=10).
o Subtract: 10−10=010 - 10 = 010−10=0.
o Quotient so far: 222.
2. Bring down the next digit (1):
o Now, the new partial dividend is 111.
3. Handle the remainder:
o 555 cannot divide 111 (remainder is smaller than 555).
o Add a zero to the quotient and bring down a new digit (if there’s one).
4. Final quotient:
o Since there are no more digits to bring down, the quotient is 202020 with a
remainder of 111.
2. Why Don’t We Always Add a Zero for a Small Remainder?
If there are no more digits to bring down in the dividend and the remainder is smaller than the
divisor, the division process stops. The remainder is simply left as is unless you continue into
decimal places.
1
Example 2: Dividing 5 by 2
Let’s divide 5÷25 \div 25÷2:
1. Divide 555 by 222:
o 222 goes into 555 two times (2×2=42 \times 2 = 42×2=4).
o Subtract: 5−4=15 - 4 = 15−4=1.
2. Check for more digits:
o There are no more digits in the dividend (5 is a single-digit number).
o Division stops with a quotient of 222 and a remainder of 111.
Key Insight:
Zeros are not added to the quotient because there’s no next digit to bring down.
3. Why Do We Add a Zero Before Bringing Down a Digit?
When dividing multi-digit numbers, we add a zero to the quotient when:
The current remainder is smaller than the divisor.
Bringing down a new digit results in a number that still cannot be divided by the divisor.
Example 3: Dividing 111 by 11
Let’s divide 111÷11111 \div 11111÷11 step by step:
1. Divide the first part of the dividend (11):
o 111111 goes into 111111 once (11×1=1111 \times 1 = 1111×1=11).
o Subtract: 11−11=011 - 11 = 011−11=0.
o Quotient so far: 111.
2. Bring down the next digit (1):
o Now, the new partial dividend is 111.
3. Handle the remainder:
o 111111 cannot divide 111 (remainder is smaller than 111111).
o Add a zero to the quotient and bring down the next digit (if there is one).
4. Final quotient:
o The next digit (1) forms 111111 again. Divide 11÷11=111 \div 11 = 111÷11=1.
o Quotient: 10+1=1110 + 1 = 1110+1=11.
4. How Does This Work for Decimal Division?
If division involves decimals, zeros are added to the quotient when continuing the division into
decimal places.
Example 4: Dividing 5 by 2 (with decimals)
2
Let’s divide 5÷25 \div 25÷2 step by step:
1. Divide 555 by 222:
o 222 goes into 555 two times (2×2=42 \times 2 = 42×2=4).
o Subtract: 5−4=15 - 4 = 15−4=1.
o Quotient so far: 222.
2. Add a decimal point:
o Add a decimal point to the quotient and bring down a zero (making the remainder
101010).
3. Continue dividing:
o Divide 10÷2=510 \div 2 = 510÷2=5.
o Quotient: 2.52.52.5.
5. Mathematical Rules and Theories
Here are the principles governing these scenarios:
1. Place Value Principle:
o Long division processes digits of the dividend one place value at a time, starting
from the highest place value. Zeros are added to preserve the place value in the
quotient.
2. Division Algorithm:
o Dividend=(Divisor×Quotient)+Remainder\text{Dividend} = (\text{Divisor}
\times \text{Quotient}) +
\text{Remainder}Dividend=(Divisor×Quotient)+Remainder.
o The remainder is always less than the divisor.
3. Decimal Expansion:
o If a remainder is present after all digits in the dividend have been processed,
appending zeros extends the division into decimal places.
Summary Table
Scenario What Happens? Example
Remainder is smaller than Stop division (whole numbers) or add 5÷2=25 \div 2 = 25÷2=2
divisor a zero to continue (decimals). remainder 111
No more digits to bring Stop division unless continuing into 5÷2=2.55 \div 2 =
down decimal places. 2.55÷2=2.5
Bringing down a new digit Add a zero to the quotient and continue 111÷11=11111 \div 11 =
that’s too small dividing. 11111÷11=11
Extending into decimal Add zeros to the dividend to represent 101÷5=20.2101 \div 5 =
places smaller place values. 20.2101÷5=20.2
…I Wish you all the best!
By: Tesfaye K.
