Division Answers Ending with Zero
Division answers ending with zero are covered in Grade 4 Saxon Math Intermediate 4 (Chapter 8). When dividing, you must continue through every digit of the dividend — stopping early gives an incorrect answer. For 816 / 8: first 8/8=1, then 1/8=0 (write 0 as placeholder), then 16/8=2, giving 102 not 12. The zero acts as a critical placeholder preserving place value. Missing this zero is the most common error.
Key Concepts
New Concept It is important to continue the division until all the digits inside the division box have been used.
What’s next Next, you'll apply this rule to see how zeros appear in quotients, sometimes even with remainders.
Common Questions
Why do division answers sometimes contain zeros?
When the divisor does not divide into the current digit of the dividend (the partial dividend is smaller than the divisor), you must write 0 in the quotient as a placeholder and bring down the next digit.
How do you divide 816 by 8?
8/8 = 1. Then bring down 1: 1/8 = 0 (write 0). Then bring down 6 to make 16: 16/8 = 2. Answer: 102. Stopping at 12 is wrong — you must process all digits.
How do you divide 927 by 9?
9/9 = 1. Bring down 2: 2/9 = 0 (write 0). Bring down 7 to make 27: 27/9 = 3. Answer: 103. The zero in the tens place is essential.
What happens if you forget to write the zero in the quotient?
You get an answer ten times too small. For 927 / 9, forgetting the zero gives 13 instead of the correct 103.
How do you know when to write a zero in the quotient?
When you bring down a digit and the resulting number is still smaller than the divisor, write 0 in the quotient and bring down the next digit.