Long division: watch it solved step by step

The bus-stop method: divide, multiply, subtract, bring down. Level: KS2 / KS3. Type any problem of this kind and the Lab works it out and animates every move, with a plain-words explanation of why.

Worked example: 1234 ÷ 12

1. Set out the division. We divide 1234 by 12 with the "bus stop" method: the divisor goes outside, the number being divided goes inside. Work from the left, one digit at a time.
2. 12 does not go into 1. 12 is bigger than 1, so it goes in 0 times (we do not write a leading zero). Take the next digit as well.
3. How many times does 12 go into 12?. 12 × 1 = 12 is the biggest multiple of 12 that fits into 12 (we brought down the 2 next to the remainder 1). Write 1 above.
4. Multiply back and subtract. Write 12 under 12 and subtract: 12 - 12 = 0.
5. Bring down the next digit. Bring down the next digit (3) next to the 0, making 3.
6. How many times does 12 go into 3?. 12 × 0 = 0 is the biggest multiple of 12 that fits into 3. Write 0 above.
7. Multiply back and subtract. Write 0 under 3 and subtract: 3 - 0 = 3.
8. Bring down the next digit. Bring down the next digit (4) next to the 3, making 34.
9. How many times does 12 go into 34?. 12 × 2 = 24 is the biggest multiple of 12 that fits into 34 (we brought down the 4 next to the remainder 3). Write 2 above.
10. Multiply back and subtract. Write 24 under 34 and subtract: 34 - 24 = 10.
11. The answer. 1234 ÷ 12 = 102 remainder 10. (Check: 12 × 102 + 10 = 1234.)

Answer: 102 r 10

Practise long division with problems the Lab marks for you.