The link with times tables
Division is the inverse of multiplication. Every multiplication fact hides TWO division facts. If you know that 6 × 7 = 42, you already know that:
42 ÷ 6 = 7 and 42 ÷ 7 = 6
The "how many times" method
To divide without setting out the calculation, ask yourself a simple question: "how many times does the divisor fit into the number?"
56 ÷ 8 means asking: "how many times does 8 go into 56?" Count up the 8 times table: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56 — that's the 7th result, so 56 ÷ 8 = 7.
Reading the table backwards
The times table grid also works for division: you look for the result INSIDE the grid, along the divisor's row (or column), and read off which number is at the top (or side).
| ÷ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ÷ 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| ÷ 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 |
| ÷ 5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2 |
| ÷ 10 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1 |
This table shows 1 to 10 divided by 1, 2, 5 and 10 — at this age, practice mostly focuses on divisions that come out exactly, starting from times tables already learned.
Dividing by 1, 2, 5 and 10
- Dividing by 1: the number doesn't change (9 ÷ 1 = 9).
- Dividing by 2: finding half (16 ÷ 2 = 8).
- Dividing by 5: twice as fast as dividing by 10, then doubling (30 ÷ 5 = 6, since 30 ÷ 10 = 3 and 3 × 2 = 6).
- Dividing by 10: knock off a 0 (70 ÷ 10 = 7).
When the division doesn't come out exactly
Not every division comes out exactly. If 8 doesn't fit exactly into 50, something's left over: 50 ÷ 8 = 6 remainder 2 (because 8 × 6 = 48, and 50 − 48 = 2). This remainder must always be smaller than the divisor (here, smaller than 8).
To set out a division with a remainder, or with larger numbers, head to long division.
Mistakes to avoid
- Getting the direction of the division mixed up: 42 ÷ 6 reads as "how many times does 6 go into 42", not "how many times does 42 go into 6".
- Forgetting that a remainder must always be smaller than the divisor — otherwise you could divide once more.
- Trying to recall a division "by heart" instead of linking it to the matching times table.
Worked exercises
63 ÷ 9
48 ÷ 6
35 ÷ 4
Now it's your turn!
On EasyMaths, your child revises division facts with quick exercises and friendly, instant marking.
Start the exercises →Frequently asked questions
How can you learn division facts easily?
By building on times tables you already know: dividing means finding the missing factor of a multiplication. If you know 7 × 8 = 56, you already know 56 ÷ 7 = 8 and 56 ÷ 8 = 7.
Do you need to learn division facts by heart separately?
No need to memorise them separately: once times tables are solid, division facts follow almost automatically, by reading the same table "backwards".
What if the division doesn't come out exactly?
If something is left over at the end, that's the remainder of the division — it must always be smaller than the number you're dividing by. For setting out a division that doesn't come out exactly, see long division.