Definition
Long division
Long division is a written method that divides a multi-digit number in aligned place-value steps.
What it means
Work from the largest useful place. Ask how many groups of the divisor fit, write that quotient digit above the matching place, multiply back, subtract, then bring down the next digit. Repeat until every dividend digit has been used. The columns matter because each quotient digit has a place value.
Remember it
Fit, multiply back, subtract, bring down—keep every digit in its place.
Example
For 936 ÷ 12, 12 fits into 93 seven times. Write 7 in the tens place, subtract 84 from 93 to get 9, then bring down 6 to make 96. Twelve fits eight times; subtract 96 to leave 0. The quotient is 78.
Watch for
Long division displays the repeated written steps. A mental shortcut or a final quotient alone may be correct division, but it is not a displayed long-division method.
Common mix-up
Bringing down a digit does not glue on a meaningless digit; it moves the next place-value part into the current remainder.
Exact meaning
Long division is a written division algorithm that finds quotient digits from left to right. At each place it divides, multiplies, subtracts, and brings down the next digit while keeping place values aligned.