Definition
Short division
Short division is a compact written division method that works through place values from left to right.
What it means
Begin at the largest place value. Divide what you can, write that quotient digit, then regroup any leftover into the next place. Repeat until every place has been used.
Remember it
Divide, write, regroup the leftover, move right.
Example
Calculate 864 ÷ 4. Eight hundreds ÷ 4 = 2 hundreds. Six tens ÷ 4 = 1 ten with 2 tens left. Regroup those 2 tens as 20 ones; with the 4 ones, that makes 24 ones. Twenty-four ÷ 4 = 6, so 864 ÷ 4 = 216.
Watch for
“Short” describes the compact layout, not a small dividend or small quotient. The method still performs ordinary division.
Common mix-up
A carried remainder changes place value when it moves right: 2 tens become 20 ones, not 2 ones.
Exact meaning
Short division is a compact formal written method for division. It processes the dividend from left to right by place value, recording or regrouping each remainder with the next place. It is most often used with a one-digit divisor.