Skill: Interpret division on a number line

To model division on a number line:

• The dividend is the number you are reaching.
• The divisor is the length of each jump.
• The number of complete jumps is the quotient.
• Any distance left over is the remainder.

Example: Find $17 \div 4$.

1. Start at $0$.
2. The dividend is $17$, so the endpoint is $17$.
3. The divisor is $4$, so make jumps of length $4$:

$$0 \xrightarrow{+4} 4 \xrightarrow{+4} 8 \xrightarrow{+4} 12 \xrightarrow{+4} 16$$

4. We made $4$ complete jumps and reached $16$.
5. The distance from $16$ to $17$ is $1$, so the remainder is $1$.

Therefore,

$$17 \div 4 = 4\text{ R}1$$

The $4$ tells how many groups of size $4$ fit into $17$. The leftover $1$ is the remainder.