Readings for Session 11 – (Continued)
Notation and Vocabulary for Division
Missing-factor Definition for Division: The missing-factor definition for division is based on the idea of
division being the inverse operation of multiplication. Let a and b be any whole numbers with b ≠ 0. Then a ÷ b = c if and only if bc = a.
The whole number a is the dividend, b is the divisor, and c is the quotient (the
solution).
Other notations: In each the division problem below, a is the dividend (the number that is being divided); b is the divisor (the number we are dividing by); and c is the quotient (the answer to the division problem).
or a ÷ b = c or
Example: A class of twenty-four students is to breakup into groups of three. How many groups would be formed?
or 24 ÷ 3 = 8 or
Eight groups of three would be formed by the class of twenty-four.
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