Division Games for Kids

What Is Division?

Division is a mathematical operation used to share or split numbers or things into equal parts. It helps us find out how many times one number can fit into another. In division problems, we want to know how many equal parts we get or how many are in each part when we share equally.

Example: If you have 10 candies and you want to share them equally among 2 friends, you use division to figure out that each friend will get 5 candies. 

We define this division problem using the division symbol as 10 ÷ 2 or 10/2 or 102 .
In division, we have 

• Dividend: the number to be divided (Here, 10 is the dividend.)
• Divisor: the number you're dividing by (Here, 2 is the divisor.) 
• Quotient: the result of the division (Here, 5 is the quotient.)
• Remainder: If there's anything left over, that's called the remainder. (Here, 0 is the remainder.)

Division is the opposite process of multiplication. For instance, as 3 groups of 5 make 15 in multiplication, 15 divided into 3 equal groups gives 5 in each group. Division helps us find out how many equal groups can be formed. Check out this Estimate Quotients Game for fun math practice!

Division as Repeated Subtraction

Division is often defined as repeated subtraction. In division, you're essentially figuring out how many times you can subtract the divisor from the dividend until you reach zero or a remainder that's smaller than the divisor.

Example: If you have $20 and you want to share them equally among 4 friends.

Here, you have to divide 20 by 4. You have to find 20 ÷ 4.

You can subtract $4 from $20 repeatedly until you have none left. 

$20-$4=$16 …subtracted $4 once

$16-$4=$12 …subtracted $4 twice

$12-$4=$8 …subtracted $4 thrice

$8-$4=$4 …subtracted $4 four times

$4-$4=$0 …subtracted $4 five times

Each time you subtract, you're distributing the money equally, and the number of times you do this is the quotient. Any money left after the equal sharing represents the remainder.

Here, we subtracted $4 from $20 “five” times. So, the quotient is 5.

20 ÷ 4 = 5

Each friend gets $5.

There is no amount left after the distribution. So, the remainder is 0.

What Are Division Facts?

Division facts are basic arithmetic relationships between numbers, showing how one number can be divided evenly by another. They are essential for quick mental calculations and understanding the relationship between multiplication and division. 

Division facts are basically division number sentences that show how numbers can be divided into equal parts. They are closely linked to multiplication facts, helping us understand the relationship between sharing and multiplication.

Example: The division fact 12 ÷ 4 = 3 helps us understand that 3 × 4 = 12. 

Thus, 12 ÷ 4 = 3, 20 ÷ 4 = 5, 28 ÷ 4 = 7, etc. are examples of division facts from the times table of 4.

Play this division game online - Division Facts Games and practice division facts with fun!

Math Tools for Teaching Division

• Counters: 

Since kids are already acquainted with using counters for addition and subtraction, the concept of multiplication becomes accessible. Multiplication is essentially a form of repeated addition, and this can be visualized using counters. When it comes to "division" using counters, it involves the opposite process where we utilize "subtraction." Division with counters is similar to the partition model.

• The total count of counters represents the "dividend."
• The number of groups the counters are divided into corresponds to the "divisor."
• To find the quotient, distribute an equal number of counters into each group.
   

• Base 10 Blocks: 

Utilizing base 10 blocks is an effective approach to grasp the decimal number system. The smallest block, 1 unit or 1 one, serves as the foundation. Moving on, a group of ten "ones" forms 1 "ten." Beyond this, a block comprising 10 "tens" represents 1 "hundred," equivalent to 100 "ones." For operations involving 4-digit numbers, 10 "hundreds" create 1 "thousand."

While base 10 blocks might not be as suitable for dividing larger numbers, they prove useful for numbers up to 100 or 1000, especially with two-digit numbers.

For instance, let's divide 66 by 5.

• Exchange 1 "ten" from 6 "tens" for 10 "ones." This transforms 6 "tens" and 6 "ones" into 5 "tens" and 16 "ones."
• Divide the 5 "tens" into 5 individual groups and evenly distribute the remaining 16 "ones" among the groups.
• Each group holds 3 "ones," with 1 "one" remaining, yielding an answer/quotient of 13 and a remainder of 1.

The division equation becomes 66 ÷ 5 = 13 with a remainder of 1.

Progression of Division Concepts with Grades
 

Learning Methodologies for Division

• Division with Pictures: Introduce division using objects like fruits, pencils, or crayons. Arrange them in equal bundles to teach division visually.
• Subtraction-Based Division: Subtract a fixed number from the original set repeatedly to find the quotient and remainder.
• Framing Division Sentences: Form division equations using symbols for word problems involving multiple math operations.
• Count Back to Divide: Use a number line, counting back according to the divisor, to find the quotient and remainder.
• Relationship Between Multiplication and Division: Understand division as the reverse of multiplication. Use unknown multiplier/divisor equations to solve problems.
• Using Division Equations: Employ division equations with unknown qualifiers to solve word problems and puzzles.
• Using Multiplication Tables: Utilize multiplication tables to simplify division calculations and solve problems efficiently.
• Division Based on Base 10 Blocks: Apply base 10 blocks and decimal place value for division of multiples of 10 and 100 by similar numbers.

By applying these techniques, students grasp division concepts effectively and build strong problem-solving skills.

How Can Children Use Division in Real life?

• Sharing Treats: When kids have a bag of candies to share with friends, division helps them distribute the candies equally among everyone. For example, if there are 12 candies and 3 friends, each friend can get 4 candies (12 ÷ 3 =  4).
• Pizza Slices: When enjoying a pizza with family, division helps in fairly dividing the slices. If there are 8 slices and 2 people, each person can have 4 slices (8 ÷ 2 = 4).
• Homework Pages: If kids have 20 math problems to solve and want to complete them in 5 days, division helps plan. They can do 4 problems each day (20 ÷ 5 = 4).
• Saving Allowance: If kids receive $20 as an allowance and want to save it for 4 weeks, division helps them know how much they can save each week. They can save $5 per week (20 ÷ 4 =  5).

Importance of Introducing Division to Kids through Games

• Engaging Learning: Division concepts can be complex for kids, but using division games for kids makes learning enjoyable. For instance, a game where kids share treats among virtual friends teaches them the concept of division in a fun way.
• Visual Understanding: Fun division games online with virtual manipulatives like counters or blocks help kids visualize division. For example, using a game where kids divide a group of objects into equal parts using virtual counters helps them understand division as sharing equally.
• Real-Life Applications: Games about division related to sharing resources like groceries among family members mimic real-life scenarios. This helps kids understand how division is used in daily situations, like dividing food among family members.
• Immediate Feedback: Interactive division games provide instant feedback, helping kids practice and improve. A game that challenges kids to divide items correctly within a time limit encourages them to practice division skills for accuracy and speed.

Division Math Games vs. Traditional Method

• Math Division games offer interactive and engaging experiences that traditional methods often lack. Children are more motivated to learn when they are actively involved in solving problems within a game setting.
• Games provide visual representations and animations that can make abstract division concepts more concrete. Seeing virtual counters being divided or objects shared among characters helps kids grasp division concepts better than static textbook illustrations.
• Many online games adapt to a child's skill level, providing appropriate challenges. Traditional methods might offer a one-size-fits-all approach, which can lead to frustration for advanced learners or confusion for struggling students.
• Division learning games offer instant feedback, helping kids identify mistakes and correct them in real-time. Traditional methods may not provide such timely feedback, making it harder for children to learn from their errors effectively.

What Are 5 Online Best Division Games and Activities for Kids?

Here are some amazing division games by SplashLearn:

• Find the Quotient Game
• Division Facts of 2 Game
• Find the Remainder Game
• Complete the Division Solution Game
• Complete the Division Patterns Game