Partial quotients represents division of a whole-number dividend of up to four digits by a one-digit divisor as the subtraction of convenient, place-value-based multiples of the divisor; the recorded partial quotients are added to form the quotient, with any remainder smaller than the divisor. The method connects multiplication, place value, and the equation dividend = divisor × quotient + remainder, without extending to decimal quotients, fractions, or multi-digit divisors.
Partial quotients break a division problem into easier groups. Each group is a convenient multiple of the divisor.
Example: Find .
Subtract:
Record the partial quotient .
Subtract:
Record the partial quotient .
Subtract:
Record the partial quotient .
The remainder is . It is smaller than the divisor, , so we stop.
Add the partial quotients:
Therefore,
Check the answer using multiplication:
So the division is correct.
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