Solve division word problems

Division in context involves interpreting a situation as either finding the number of equal groups or finding the size of each group, representing the relationships with an equation, array, or bar model, and distinguishing division from other operations. For whole-number problems with dividends up to four digits and divisors up to two digits, the quotient and remainder must be interpreted in context—such as reporting, ignoring, or accounting for a remainder by forming an additional group—and checked through multiplication and estimation. Limited fraction-division contexts may involve a unit fraction and a whole number; more general fraction, decimal, and algebraic division are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Solve division word problems

Division word problems ask you to split a total into equal groups. First decide what the quotient represents:

Number of groups: “How many boxes are needed?”
Size of each group: “How many items go in each box?”

Example

A teacher has 158 pencils. Each box holds 12 pencils. How many boxes are needed?

1. Identify the division

The total is $158$ , and each group has $12$ :

158 \div 12

The quotient will tell us how many full boxes we can fill.

2. Divide

158 \div 12 = 13\text{ remainder }2

This means:

$13$ boxes can hold $12$ pencils each.
$2$ pencils are left over.

We can show this with an equation:

12 \times 13 + 2 = 158

3. Interpret the remainder

The question asks how many boxes are needed. The $2$ leftover pencils still need a box, so we must form one more group.

13+1=14

The teacher needs 14 boxes.

4. Check your answer

If there are $14$ boxes, they can hold:

12 \times 14=168\text{ pencils}

There is enough space for all $158$ pencils. Also, $158 \div 12$ is about $13$ , so an answer of $14$ boxes is reasonable.

Answer: The teacher needs $\boxed{14}$ boxes.

Learn by doing: Solve division word problems

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Division Word Problems (Small Integers)

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