Basic division - 3rd grade

A simple explanation on why we cannot divide by zero. We prove why 7 divided by zero, for example, does not work by looking at the corresponding multiplication. If 7 / 0 was, say, 0, then the corresponding multiplication would say 0 x 0 = 7, which is clearly wrong. Some people suggest that zero divided by zero should equal zero. But that presents problems, also. We could just as easily say that zero divided by zero equals 4 (or some other number), because the multiplication check would work: 4 x 0 = 0. Zero divided by zero is therefore said to be UNDEFINED. In a summary, children learning this in 3rd grade can simply remember that you are not allowed to divide by zero -- it just doesn't work. In the latter part of the lesson I go through some varied practice problems concerning division and we also solve one word problem.

A simple explanation on why we cannot divide by zero. We prove why 7 divided by zero, for example, does not work by looking at the corresponding multiplication. If 7 / 0 was, say, 0, then the corresponding multiplication would say 0 x 0 = 7, which is clearly wrong. Some people suggest that zero divided by zero should equal zero. But that presents problems, also. We could just as easily say that zero divided by zero equals 4 (or some other number), because the multiplication check would work: 4 x 0 = 0. Zero divided by zero is therefore said to be UNDEFINED. In a summary, children learning this in 3rd grade can simply remember that you are not allowed to divide by zero -- it just doesn't work. In the latter part of the lesson I go through some varied practice problems concerning division and we also solve one word problem.

The basics of the concept of REMAINDER... I show with visual models how divisions are not always even (not exact), and we have a remainder. For example, I divide 15 into groups of 4. We get three groups, and three left over: 15 / 4 = 3 R3. After working with visual models, I explain how you can calculate the remainder. For example, to solve 24 / 5, think how many 5's are there in 24. There are four, because 4 x 5 = 20, but 5 x 5 = 25, which is too much (more than 24). Then we look at the DIFFERENCE of 4 x 5 and 24, which is 4, and that is the remainder. Lastly you get to practice on your own (pause the video) with some exercise problems, and with a pattern. The pattern shows us that as we increase the dividend by one (keeping the divisor the same), the remainder also increases by one... until you come to the next even division. Check out also my multiplication videos for 3rd grade at

The basics of the concept of REMAINDER... I show with visual models how divisions are not always even (not exact), and we have a remainder. For example, I divide 15 into groups of 4. We get three groups, and three left over: 15 / 4 = 3 R3. After working with visual models, I explain how you can calculate the remainder. For example, to solve 24 / 5, think how many 5's are there in 24. There are four, because 4 x 5 = 20, but 5 x 5 = 25, which is too much (more than 24). Then we look at the DIFFERENCE of 4 x 5 and 24, which is 4, and that is the remainder. Lastly you get to practice on your own (pause the video) with some exercise problems, and with a pattern. The pattern shows us that as we increase the dividend by one (keeping the divisor the same), the remainder also increases by one... until you come to the next even division. Check out also my multiplication videos for 3rd grade at

This lesson highlights the difference between basic MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION word problems (3rd grade level). Both types of situations have to do with groups of equal size. The main difference is, in multiplication word problems, we are asked the total where as in division word problems we are told the total. After discussing the basic differences, we then solve some word problems that involve either multiplication or division. Check out also this downloadable worktext for 3rd grade math that has to do with basic division concept, remainder, word problems, and more:

This lesson highlights the difference between basic MULTIPLICATION and DIVISION word problems (3rd grade level). Both types of situations have to do with groups of equal size. The main difference is, in multiplication word problems, we are asked the total where as in division word problems we are told the total. After discussing the basic differences, we then solve some word problems that involve either multiplication or division. Check out also this downloadable worktext for 3rd grade math that has to do with basic division concept, remainder, word problems, and more:

We write division sentences from simple situations of equal sharing or where objects are divided into equal-size groups (for example, sharing 8 apples by 2 mammoths, or making groups of 8 from 16 objects.) This is the basic concept of division, as children learn it in 3rd grade math. Lastly, we solve a challenging "puzzle corner" puzzle! Math Mammoth Grade 3 curriculum Math Mammoth Division 1 worktext Basic division facts online practice Division facts matching game

We write division sentences from simple situations of equal sharing or where objects are divided into equal-size groups (for example, sharing 8 apples by 2 mammoths, or making groups of 8 from 16 objects.) This is the basic concept of division, as children learn it in 3rd grade math. Lastly, we solve a challenging "puzzle corner" puzzle! Math Mammoth Grade 3 curriculum Math Mammoth Division 1 worktext Basic division facts online practice Division facts matching game

In this 3rd grade lesson, we focus on the connection between multiplication and division, fact families, and using multiplication tables to solve basic division problems. There is actually no need to memorize "division tables" separately from the multiplication tables, because you can always think of multiplication when solving simple division problems. For example, to solve 42 / 6, think how many times 6 makes 42 (in your six times table). Check out also this downloadable worktext for 3rd grade math that deals with basic division concept, word problems, and related concepts:

In this 3rd grade lesson, we focus on the connection between multiplication and division, fact families, and using multiplication tables to solve basic division problems. There is actually no need to memorize "division tables" separately from the multiplication tables, because you can always think of multiplication when solving simple division problems. For example, to solve 42 / 6, think how many times 6 makes 42 (in your six times table). Check out also this downloadable worktext for 3rd grade math that deals with basic division concept, word problems, and related concepts: