Long Division Problem: Divide 339 by 3 Step-by-Step

Q: Why do I start with the first digit instead of the last?

In long division, we work left to right because of place values! The first digit represents tens, so we must handle it first. Starting from the right would mix up the place values completely.

Q: What if the first digit is smaller than the divisor?

If 3 was bigger than the first digit, you'd combine it with the next digit. For example, if dividing 239 by 3, you'd start with 23÷3 since 2÷3 doesn't work.

Q: How do I know when I'm finished dividing?

You're done when you've brought down all digits from the dividend and your remainder is 0 (or smaller than the divisor). In this problem, we used both digits 3 and 9.

Q: What does it mean to 'bring down' a digit?

After dividing and subtracting, you bring down the next digit from the dividend to continue the process. It's like moving the digit down to join your remainder!

Long Division with Three-Digit Numbers

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Let's start by dividing the leftmost digit by the divisor

00:08 Write the result above

00:11 Now multiply the result by the divisor

00:16 Subtract the product from the digit

00:19 Now bring down the next digit below and use the same steps

00:23 Divide

00:26 Write the result above

00:29 Multiply the result, subtract

00:36 We got 0, meaning there is no remainder

00:39 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

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Understand the problem

Step-by-step solution

To solve the problem $39 \div 3$ , we will apply long division:

Step 1: Set up the division problem.
Write 39 inside the division bracket and 3 outside as the divisor.
Step 2: Divide the first digit of the dividend by the divisor.
Determine how many times 3 fits into 3 (the first digit of 39):
3 fits into 3 exactly 1 time. Write 1 above the line.
Step 3: Multiply and subtract.
Multiply 3 (divisor) by the result from the previous step (1), giving 3.
Subtract 3 from 3, resulting in 0.
Step 4: Bring down the next digit of the dividend.
Bring down 9 (the next digit from 39). The new number to consider is 9.
Step 5: Divide the result by the divisor.
Determine how many times 3 fits into 9: 3 fits into 9 exactly 3 times. Write 3 above the line.
Step 6: Multiply and subtract again.
Multiply 3 by 3, which gives 9. Subtract 9 from 9, resulting in 0.

The division process is complete with no remainder. The quotient is 13.

The final answer is $\boxed{13}$ .

Final Answer

$13$

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Setup: Place divisor outside bracket, dividend inside the bracket
Technique: Divide each digit from left: 3÷3=1, then 9÷3=3
Check: Multiply quotient by divisor: 13×3=39 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Starting division from the rightmost digit
Don't start dividing from 9 first = completely wrong answer! Long division must work from left to right because place values matter. Always begin with the leftmost digit and work systematically toward the right.

Practice Quiz

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FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I start with the first digit instead of the last?

In long division, we work left to right because of place values! The first digit represents tens, so we must handle it first. Starting from the right would mix up the place values completely.

What if the first digit is smaller than the divisor?

If 3 was bigger than the first digit, you'd combine it with the next digit. For example, if dividing 239 by 3, you'd start with 23÷3 since 2÷3 doesn't work.

How do I know when I'm finished dividing?

You're done when you've brought down all digits from the dividend and your remainder is 0 (or smaller than the divisor). In this problem, we used both digits 3 and 9.

What does it mean to 'bring down' a digit?

After dividing and subtracting, you bring down the next digit from the dividend to continue the process. It's like moving the digit down to join your remainder!

Can I check my answer without multiplying?

Yes! You can add the quotient to itself multiple times. Since $13 + 13 + 13 = 39$ , this confirms that $39 ÷ 3 = 13$ .

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