Divide by Repeated Subtraction
We can divide by repeated subtraction!
Use drag and drop:
images/sub-repeat.js
Take away equal groups until nothing is left.
For example, to find 12 ÷ 3, start at 12 and keep subtracting 3:
- 12 − 3 = 9 (1 time)
- 9 − 3 = 6 (2 times)
- 6 − 3 = 3 (3 times)
- 3 − 3 = 0 (4 times)
We subtracted 3 a total of 4 times, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
What if we can't reach zero?
If we try 14 ÷ 3, we subtract 3 four times and end up with 2 left over. We can't take away another 3, so 2 is the remainder!
14 ÷ 3 = 4 with a remainder of 2