Last updated on July 6th, 2025
In the division process, the number being divided by a divisor is known as the dividend. The remainder will be zero when a number is fully divisible by the divisor. If the dividend is not completely divisible by the divisor, the remainder will be a non-zero value. The dividend is one of the key elements in division, as it helps to split the given resources into equal parts. In this article, let us explore the dividend and its properties in detail.
The dividend is the total quantity that is to be divided into equal parts.
For example, Allen has 20 books and wants to distribute them among his 5 friends. He divides the books so that all 5 people receive the same number of books.
Here, the number of books = 20
Number of friends = 5
Hence, the dividend is 20, and the divisor is 5.
20 ÷ 5 = 4
4 is the quotient.
Thus, each of Allen’s friends receives 4 books.
The number that gets divided by another is the dividend. In division, the dividend is divided into equal parts.
Dividend is one of the most important elements of the division process, where we have to follow the formula to get the correct result.
The formula for finding the dividend is:
Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
Here is an example to understand the formula:
The divisor = 5
Quotient = 2
Remainder = 0
Find the dividend.
Using the formula, we can find the dividend as follows:
Therefore, the value of the dividend is 10.
The division process consists of four parts. They are:
Refer to this image for a clearer understanding of the terms used in division.
Understanding the difference between dividend and divisor helps students differentiate the two elements easily. In division, the dividend and divisor are essential to perform the process.
Features | Dividend | Divisor |
Definition |
The number that is being divided by the divisor. | The number by which the dividend is divided. |
Importance | The dividend is divided into equal parts by the divisor. | The divisor decides the number of parts into which the dividend is divided. |
Position |
It comes before the division symbol. |
It comes after the division symbol. |
Example | In 12 ÷ 2, 12 is the dividend and 2 is the divisor | In 16 ÷ 2, 2 is the divisor and 16 is the dividend. |
Understanding the concept of dividends helps students solve mathematical problems easily and avoid confusion in calculations. Given below are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Practicing division helps students master the concept and solve mathematical problems accurately. However, students make some mistakes when working with dividends and divisors. Here are some common mistakes and helpful solutions to avoid these errors.
Dividend, divisor, quotient, and remainder are the four main elements of division. The concept of dividends plays an essential role in various real-life situations, such as:
Find the dividend if the divisor is 8, the quotient is 2, and the remainder is 0.
16 is the dividend
Here, divisor = 8
Quotient = 2
Remainder = 0
Using the formula, we can find the dividend.
Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
Now, let us substitute the values.
Dividend = (8 × 2) + 0 = 16
Thus, the dividend is 16.
Vickey has 98 candies and wants to pack them into boxes, with 7 candies per box. How many boxes will he need?
14 boxes
Total candies = 98
Number of candies per box = 7
Here, the dividend is 98.
The divisor is 7.
Here, we can use the division formula:
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient
Now, let us substitute the values:
98 ÷ 7 = 14
Thus, Vickey will need 14 boxes.
Next, we can use the dividend formula to verify the result.
Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
Dividend = 14 × 7 = 98
Since the product matches the original dividend, the answer is correct.
A textile factory produces 1488 jeans in 24 hours. How many jeans are produced in 1 hour?
The factory produces 62 jeans per hour.
The total number of jeans produced = 1,488
Time taken = 24 hours
Now, let’s find the number of jeans produced in 1 hour.
Using the division formula, we can find the answer.
Jeans per hour = Total jeans produced ÷ Total time in hours
Let us substitute the values:
Jeans per hour = 1488 ÷ 24 = 62
Therefore, jeans produced per hour are 62.
A number when divided by 12 gives a quotient of 18. Find the dividend.
216 is the dividend.
The divisor = 12
Quotient = 18
Using the dividend formula, we can find the answer.
Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
Dividend = 12 × 18 = 216
The dividend is 216.
Sarah bakes 20 cakes and wants to pack them into 4 boxes. How many cakes will each box contain?
5 cakes.
Total cakes = 20
Total boxes = 4
Here, 20 is the dividend, and 4 is the divisor.
To find the quotient, we can use the division formula.
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient
20 ÷ 4 = 5
Thus, each box will contain 5 cakes.
Next, we can verify the answer.
The formula for the dividend is:
Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
Dividend = (4 × 5) + 0 = 20
Here, the answer matches the original dividend.
Therefore, each box will have 5 cakes.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.