Division Tutorials: Ace Your Next Math Test

Preparing for a Division Test

If you're training for a soccer game, you practice by playing soccer, and if you're training for a math test, you prepare by doing math. Even if you already feel like you 'get it,' it's important to keep practicing, especially if your test will be timed. You won't just need to be able to solve the problems on your test; you'll also need to be able to solve them quickly.

Division Facts

If your test will be on division facts (12 ÷ 4, 35 ÷ 7 and so on), the key to success is simply memorization and practice. One of the most effective ways to memorize basic math facts is to use flashcards. It's a good idea to separate your cards into smaller batches of 5-10, and memorize each batch before moving on to the next one. Once you've memorized all the batches, you can combine them all for a total review.

It's also important to mix the cards up so that the problems aren't always in the same order. If you keep them in the same order, you'll find that you just memorize the order of the answers, not the facts themselves. Once you've mastered the flashcards, try timing how long it takes you to answer them all correctly, and then try to beat your own best time. You can also find a study partner to compete with.

When you're memorizing division facts, it will be much easier if you have your multiplication facts memorized first. If you don't know the multiplication tables for at least 1-9, you should memorize them before you tackle the division facts, if possible. This is helpful because every multiplication fact is the 'inverse' (opposite) of a division fact. For instance, 3 x 4 = 12 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

Long Division

If your test will be on long division, you have two challenges: one of them is memorizing the steps, or 'algorithm' for long division, and the other one is avoiding mathematical errors. In order to memorize the steps, you'll need lots of practice problems. You can get these from your math book, or you can ask your math teacher or another adult to provide you with worksheets.

As you go through the problems, it's important not to give up too quickly when you get stuck. If you're struggling with one problem, move on and come back to it later. If you still can't get it, then you might ask for a hint. However, keep in mind that the more of the work you do on your own, the more thoroughly you'll learn the skill.

Once you're confident in your understanding of long division, focus on avoiding math mistakes. One of the best ways to do this on a test is to check your answer (quotient) by multiplying it with the divisor (the number outside of the division box). If the product of these two numbers is the dividend (the inside number), your answer is correct.