Short Division – Step-by-Step Bus Stop Method
Short division (also called the bus stop method) is the standard written method for dividing a large number by a single digit. It is clean, compact, and reliable.
Setting Up
Write the dividend under a division bracket, and the divisor to the left. Work from left to right, digit by digit.
Worked Example 1: 852 ÷ 4
Work left to right one digit at a time. Any remainder is carried to the next digit.
Worked Example 2: 4,263 ÷ 6
A four-digit dividend — note how the first digit (4) is smaller than the divisor, so a carry begins immediately.
With a Decimal Answer
If there is a remainder, you can continue by adding a decimal point and a zero and carrying on the division.
Try It Yourself
Enter any dividend and divisor to see the short division layout step by step.
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Key Takeaways
- Work left to right, digit by digit.
- When a digit is too small, carry the remainder to the next digit.
- Check: quotient × divisor + remainder = dividend.
Practice Questions
- Calculate 648 ÷ 3.
- Calculate 945 ÷ 5.
- Calculate 1,428 ÷ 6.
- Calculate 2,537 ÷ 7.
- Divide 3,600 sweets equally among 8 jars.