Year 4 - Maths
Explain how the remainder relates to the divisor in a division equation
Division with remainders
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will interpret a division story with a remainder representing it with an equation. They will explain how the remainder relates to the divisor.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how the remainder relates to the divisor in a division equation.
Key Notes
- In a division equation or problem, the remainder is always less than the divisor.
- We can decide if a division equation is incorrect by comparing the size of the remainder to the size of the divisor.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Dividend: The dividend is the whole amount to be divided into groups or divided into equal parts. It is what we are dividing.
- Divisor: The divisor is the number in each group or the number of equal parts that the whole is divided into or between. It is what we are dividing by.
- Remainder: A remainder is the amount left over after division when the dividend does not divide exactly by the divisor.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Rather than using the largest multiple less than or equal to the dividend, children may identify the closest multiple (one that is too high) or one that is less than the dividend but is too low.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
In a division equation or problem, the remainder is always less than the divisor. We can decide if a division equation is incorrect by comparing the size of the remainder to the size of the divisor.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'Dividend'
The dividend is the whole amount to be divided into groups or divided into equal parts. It is what we are dividing. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Rather than using the largest multiple less than or equal to the dividend, children may identify the closest multiple (one that is too high) or one that is less than the dividend but is too low. Correction: Add further examples using counters to explore patterns where one more is added to draw attention to the size of the remainder compared to the divisor. Draw number lines alongside these so children begin to also visualise in a more abstract way.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Decide what to do with the answer to a division calculation to solve a problem Study Guide
- Identify when there will be a remainder Study Guide
- Represent division by grouping with multiplication and addition equations Study Guide
- Represent division by sharing with equations Study Guide
- Solve division problems involving grouping, including those with remainders Study Guide
- Solve division problems involving sharing, including those with remainders Study Guide
- Use knowledge of division equations and remainders to solve problems Study Guide
- Use knowledge of division to solve problems Study Guide
- Use multiplication facts to answer division questions Study Guide
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