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Dividing Large Numbers

Simplify by dropping zeros, dividing, then restoring scale.

When to use

You're dividing millions or thousands by a small number.

Steps

  1. 1.Remove trailing zeros and note how many
  2. 2.Divide the simplified number
  3. 3.Add the zeros back

Example: 69,400,000 / 2

Think: 69.4 million / 2

69 / 2 = 34.5

0.4 / 2 = 0.2

34.5 + 0.2 = 34.7 million = 34,700,000

Mental approach

Say '69.4 million / 2 = 34.7 million' — think in word form.

Pen & paper approach

Write just the significant digits, divide, then append zeros.

Tips

  • •Always think in 'millions' or 'thousands' — not raw digits
  • •For /4: divide by 2 twice
  • •For /8: divide by 2 three times

Try it yourself

84,000,000 / 4

3,600,000 / 6

9,150,000 / 5