Fourth Grade · Math · week 21

Long division, step by step

Divide multi-digit numbers by a 1-digit divisor using the standard long division algorithm.

Long division repeats four steps for every digit: Divide (how many times does the divisor fit), Multiply (divisor times that digit), Subtract (find what is left), and Bring down (the next digit). Repeat until every digit has been brought down.

This is the compact, exact version of the chunking you did last week, just one digit at a time instead of big flexible chunks.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Chant the four steps in order every single time, like a rhythm: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down.
  • Use graph paper or lined paper turned sideways to keep every digit lined up in its own column.
  • After each subtraction, check the result is smaller than the divisor; if it is not, the divide-step guess was too small.
  • Circle the final quotient on top once every digit has been brought down and used.
Talk about it:
  • What are the four repeating steps of long division, in order?
  • How do you know if a subtraction step is correct (what should the result always be smaller than)?
  • Where have you already done this same thinking with blocks or partial quotients?

Mastery looks like: They divide a multi-digit number by a 1-digit divisor using the standard long-division steps accurately.

Common stumbles: Forgetting to bring down the next digit before continuing; a subtraction remainder that is larger than or equal to the divisor, a sign the divide-step number was too small; skipping the multiply-and-subtract check.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

DivisionShare fairly and build equal groups.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Math for this learner.
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