Skill: Write division equations with remainders

When a whole number cannot be divided into equal groups with nothing left over, the leftover amount is called the remainder.

Example: There are $29$ pencils. Put them into groups of $4$. How many full groups can you make, and how many pencils are left?

1. Find the greatest number of groups of $4$ that fit into $29$:

$$4 \times 7=28$$

So, you can make $7$ full groups.

2. Find how many pencils are left:

$$29-28=1$$

There is $1$ pencil left.

3. Write the division equation:

$$29\div 4=7\text{ R }1$$

Here:

• $29$ is the dividend—the number being divided.
• $4$ is the divisor—the size of each group.
• $7$ is the quotient—the number of full groups.
• $1$ is the remainder—the amount left over.

You can also write the same situation as:

$$29=4\times 7+1$$

Always check that the remainder is less than the divisor. Here, $1<4$, so the equation makes sense.