# Math Help - dividing large numbers

1. ## dividing large numbers

First I will write this example in European notation ( I hope you will understand ).
Lets say I am dividing 41472 / 324 = 128.
I' am doing this like that:
41472 / 324 = 128 // 414 / 324 = 1 remainder 90
907 // write 90 and 7, 907 / 324 = 2 remainder 259
2592 // write 259 and 2, 2592 / 324 = 8 remainder 0

Is there anyway to do divison mechanically (like multiplication)? For example, in last step when I am dividing 2592 / 324 = 8, I need to guess in my head that 324 goes 8 times in 2592.

2. Originally Posted by dontoo
First I will write this example in European notation ( I hope you will understand ).
Lets say I am dividing 41472 / 324 = 128.
I' am doing this like that:
41472 / 324 = 128 // 414 / 324 = 1 remainder 90
907 // write 90 and 7, 907 / 324 = 2 remainder 259
2592 // write 259 and 2, 2592 / 324 = 8 remainder 0

Is there anyway to do divison mechanically (like multiplication)? For example, in last step when I am dividing 2592 / 324 = 8, I need to guess in my head that 324 goes 8 times in 2592.
Find common factors in the numerator and denominator and divide numerator and denominator by those factors.

3. I see
2592 = 3*3*3*3*2*2*2*2*2*2
324 = 3*3*3*3*2*2
so 2592/324 = 2*2*2

Guess that is only way.

4. Originally Posted by dontoo
I see
2592 = 3*3*3*3*2*2*2*2*2*2
324 = 3*3*3*3*2*2
so 2592/324 = 2*2*2

Guess that is only way.
Actually it's $2\cdot 2\cdot 2 \cdot 2$.