Understanding Division Vocabulary

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In a division problem, what is the name for the number being divided?

The **dividend**. It's the total amount you start with. In \(12 \div 4 = 3\), the dividend is \(12\).

What do we call the number that you divide by?

The **divisor**. It tells you how many equal groups to make. In \(12 \div 4 = 3\), the divisor is \(4\).

What is the answer to a division problem called?

The **quotient**. It's the result of the division. In \(12 \div 4 = 3\), the quotient is \(3\).

What does the symbol \(\div\) mean?

It is the **division sign**. It means "divided by". For example, \(8 \div 2\) is read as "8 divided by 2".

Label the parts of this problem: \(15 \div 5 = 3\)

\(15\) is the dividend. \(5\) is the divisor. \(3\) is the quotient.

Another way to write \(15 \div 5\) is using a long division symbol. Which number goes inside the "house"?

The dividend (\(15\)) goes inside the division symbol or "house". The divisor (\(5\)) goes outside.

Division is the inverse operation of what other math function?

**Multiplication**. For example, since \(4 \times 5 = 20\), we know that \(20 \div 5 = 4\) and \(20 \div 4 = 5\).

What does it mean to "divide equally"?

It means to split a total amount into groups that all have the exact same size, with nothing left over (in perfect division).