Grade 6 › U03 Decimal Operations

NUMBER · GRADE 6 · ALBERTAOUTCOME AB-MAT6-N4

L2 · Dividing natural numbers: standard algorithm and remainders as decimals

Learning goal

“I can divide a 3-digit number by a 1-digit or 2-digit number using the standard algorithm - and when there is a remainder, I keep dividing into tenths and hundredths and write the quotient as a decimal.”

Dividend — the amount being divided up. In 85 / 4, the dividend is 85.
Divisor — the number we divide by - the size of each group, or the number of groups. In 85 / 4, the divisor is 4.
Quotient — the answer to a division. In 85 / 4 = 21.25, the quotient is 21.25.
Remainder — what is left over after one step of a division. We never stop at a remainder: we trade it into the next, smaller place value and keep dividing.
Worked example

Divide 372 / 3. Estimate first: on the number line, 360 / 3 = 120 and 390 / 3 = 130, so the quotient must land between 120 and 130. Step 1: Hundreds. 3 hundreds / 3 = 1 hundred. Write 1 in the hundreds place of the quotient. Step 2: Tens. 7 tens / 3 = 2 tens, remainder 1 ten. Write 2 in the tens place. Step 3: Ones. Trade the remainder: 1 ten is 10 ones, and 10 + 2 ones = 12 ones. 12 ones / 3 = 4 ones. So 372 / 3 = 124 - between 120 and 130 on the line, as estimated, and 124 x 3 = 372 checks it. Model: the place-value chart with hundreds, tens, and ones each divided in turn, beside the estimation number line with the quotient 124 marked between 120 and 130.

Check yourself — explain it

In Step 3, why did we divide 12, when the dividend only shows a 2 in the ones place?

Paired problem — example still visible

Divide 484 / 4. -> 484 / 4 = 121

Faded completion — last step is yours

"695 / 5: 6 hundreds / 5 = 1, remainder 1 -> 19 tens / 5 = 3, remainder 4 -> 45 ones / 5 = ___, so 695 / 5 = ___" -> 9; 139

Ready to practise?

10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.