Skip to main content

Long Division

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

My son who is 10 and ld is having trouble with long division. He wants to rush through the problems an ends up getting things mixed up. Any math visuals that I can use.

Lisa

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/12/2002 - 11:10 PM

Permalink

Not exactly a visual — but for kids that the whole process is overwhelming for, I use “DMSB” — Daddy Mommy Sister Brother — and write it on the top of the page.
D- divide
M - multiply
S - subtract
B - Bring Down

Now, you still have to check the thing you’re multiplying tomake sure it’s not too big, and then check that subtraction error and make sure *it’s* not too big — it really helps to understand what this division thing is all about. Most kids who learn long division really have no idea what htey are doing.

To understand it, I’d use money — probably just dollars, not change, so you don’t throw the confusion of decimals in there! — and just worry about one digit numbers at age 10… but make srue he really gets that. You start with “short” division — and ones that come out evenly :) - and then you have *him* explain it back to you. And then you try bigger amounts… having him explain it as he goes… and showing you the connection between the numbers on the page and what he is doing with the money. (I’d use play money and *only* multiples of ten… play thousand dollar bills are fun :))

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 04/13/2002 - 12:34 AM

Permalink

I put in one more step.
Divide
Multiply
Subtract
Compare (Be sure you get a number that is less than the divisor.)
Bring Down

I also have the kids use grid paper. It is so much easier for them to keep columns lined up.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 04/13/2002 - 10:15 PM

Permalink

One thing I have my students do is underline each part of the dividend that they can divide. this forces them to analyze the divident and the divisor. for example if the problem is 4561 divided by 36, they would underline 45 and then divide, multiply, subtract. Then, underline the 6, bring it down and do the process again. this will help them to make sure they put a digit in their answer for every digit in the dividend. After awhile he should be able to underline before he ever starts and finally he will not need to do any of these reminders.

Back to Top