Example. 1 - Here's a slideshow to understand the method of division. Keep the cursor away from the show to see clearly.
Explanation by Steps -
Step 1 Long division works from left to right. Since 16 is a 2-digit number, it will not go into 4, the first digit of 4761, and so successive digits are added until a number greater than 16 is found. In this case 1 digit is added to make 47. Note the other digits in the original number have been turned grey to emphasis this and grey zeroes have been placed above to show where division was not possible with fewer digits.
The closest we can get to 47 without exceeding it is 32 which is 2 × 16. These values have been added to the division, highlighted in red.
02164761 32 You will notice that the division is set out carefully with the digits in vertical columns. This is very important when you work them out by hand.
Step 2 Next, work out the remainder by subtracting 32 from 47. This gives us 15. Bring down the 6 to make a new target of 156.
2164761 32 156 The digit brought down and the new target have been highlighted in blue.
Step 3 With a target of 156, the closest we can get is 144 by multiplying 16 by 9. Write 9 in the next column of the answer, and 144 below the 156 as shown.
29164761 32 156 144
Step 4
Next, work out the remainder by subtracting 144 from 156. This gives us 12. Bring down the 1 to make a new target of 121.
29164761 32 156 144 121
Step 5 With a target of 121, the closest we can get is 112 by multiplying 16 by 7. Write 7 in the next column of the answer, and 112 below the 121 as shown.
297164761 32 156 144 121 112
Step 6 Finally, subtract 112 from 121 giving 9. Since there are no other digits to bring down, 9 is therefore also the remainder for the whole sum.