Division with Three-Digit Answers
Grade 4 students learn to divide and get three-digit answers using long division with decimals in Saxon Math Intermediate 4. The critical first step is placing the decimal point in the quotient directly above the decimal point in the dividend. Dividing 895.25 dollars by 5 proceeds step by step — divide, multiply, subtract, bring down — yielding 179.05 dollars. Misaligning digits in the answer by writing each quotient digit above the wrong column is the most common error. This Chapter 8 skill applies systematic long division to real contexts like splitting fundraiser proceeds equally.
Key Concepts
New Concept The decimal point in the answer is placed directly above the decimal point inside the division box.
What’s next Next, you’ll apply the four step division process to problems with three digit answers and remainders, solidifying your procedural fluency.
Common Questions
How do you do long division with a three-digit answer?
Follow the four steps repeatedly: Divide, Multiply, Subtract, Bring Down. Start by placing the decimal point in the quotient above the decimal in the dividend. Work through each digit of the dividend from left to right, writing each quotient digit above the digit you just divided into.
How do you divide 895.25 by 5?
Place the decimal in the quotient above the decimal in 895.25. Divide 8 by 5 = 1 remainder 3. Bring down 9 to get 39; 39 divided by 5 = 7 remainder 4. Bring down 5 to get 45; 45 divided by 5 = 9 remainder 0. Bring down 2; 2 divided by 5 = 0 remainder 2. Bring down 5 to get 25; 25 divided by 5 = 5. Answer: 179.05 dollars.
What is the most common mistake in long division?
Misaligning quotient digits — writing each digit above the wrong column. Always write each quotient digit directly above the digit you are currently dividing into to keep place values correct.
Why must the decimal point come first in decimal division?
Setting the decimal point before dividing ensures every subsequent digit lands in the correct place value. Without it, you risk producing an answer that is off by a factor of 10 or 100.
What Saxon Math chapter covers division with three-digit answers?
Division with three-digit answers is covered in Saxon Math Intermediate 4, Chapter 8 (Lessons 71-80), extending long division to decimal dividends and multi-step problems.