Download Division Properties

Division Properties of Real
Numbers
Division Properties
There are three ways that a division problem may be
written. They all mean the same thing but they
cause confusion because they look different.
Two divided by three can be written:
2
3 2 or
or 2  3
3
Division Properties
2
or 2  3
3
If you are using a calculator
•key in the 2 first since it comes first
• then use the division key that looks like

Division Properties
3 2
If you are using a calculator,
•it is sometimes tempting to key in the 3 first
since it comes first as you read left to right
• that is not correct!
Division Properties
3 2
The number in the house is the dividend.
The number in front of the house is the divisor.
Always divide by the divisor.
Checking a Division Problem
6
 2 to check 2  3  6
3
The answer times the bottom number should equal the
top number.
Checking a Division Problem Involving 0
0
 0 to check 0  3  0
3
The answer times the bottom number should equal the
top number.
Checking a Division Problem Involving 0
6
 ? to check 0  ?  0
0
What could we possibly put as the answer? No matter
what we put, when we multiply it by zero we willl get
zero, not 6.
Division by zero is undefined!
The 1st Commandment of Math
Thou shalt not divide by zero.
2
not 0 2 not
not 2  0
0
Division Properties
There are 3 ways to write division problems
To check, multiply the answer times the bottom
Never divide by zero
Never, ever, divide by zero