Subtraction and Division – Mental Math or Algorithm Examples
Division:
•
Subtracting groups of the divisor
159 ÷ 13
159
29 OR Use the Big 7 method of recording
10 x 13 = 130 -130
-26
2 x 13 = 26
29
3
12 r3
•
Breaking the problem into parts
150 ÷ 48 = (50 ÷ 48) + (50 ÷ 48) + (50 ÷ 48) = 3 r 6
(There is one 48 with 2 left over in each 50)
OR
159/13
Break into 130 + 29, 130 divided by 13 is 10; 29 divided by 13 is 2 with 3 remaining
•
Transferring the problem into an equivalent problem that is easier to solve.
1400 ÷ 35 = 200 ÷ 5 (divide both numbers by 7)
928/16 = 464/8 = 232/4 = 116/2 = 58
•
Solving and easier related problem, then compensating
247 ÷ 13
Solve 260 ÷ 13 (There are 20 thirteens in 260, but 247 is 13 less than 260. So there are only 19 thirteens in
247)
•
Dealing out into groups
159/13
Give 10 to each group; that uses up 130; 29 is left
Give 1 more to each group; that uses up 13; 16 is left
Give 1 more to each group; 3 is left.
The result is 12 in each group, remainder 3
Subtraction: 465 – 129
•
Subtract one number in parts from the other.
465 – 100 = 365 OR
465 – 125 = 340
365 – 20 = 345
340 – 4 = 336
345 – 5 = 340
340 – 4 = 336
•
Change one number, then compensate for the change.
465 – 130 = 335
OR
460 – 129 = 331
335 + 1 = 336
331 + 5 = 336
•
Add up from the number being subtracted.
129 + 1 = 130
OR
129 + 130 = 429
130 + 300 = 430
429 + 1 = 430
430 + 35 = 465
430 + 35 = 465
1 + 300 + 35 = 336
300 + 1 + 35 = 336
•
Transform the entire problem to an equivalent problem that is easier to solve.
465 – 129 = 466 – 130
466 – 130 = 336
•
Subtract each column and record each difference, whether it is positive or negative.
400 – 100 = 300
60 – 20 = 40
5 – 9 = -4
300 + 40 – 4 = 336