How Do You Divide 42 by 3?

Division helps answer how many times a number fits into another and if there is anything left over.

When you ask what is 42 divided by 3, the first number ($42$) is the dividend, and the second number ($3$) is the divisor.

Once you know which is which, you can calculate the answer using the short division method.

Short Division Method

Short division is a technique where the divisor is applied to each digit of the dividend one at a time. The quotient is written above and any remainder is carried forward.

Since $3 < 10$ and $42 > 30$, this method is suitable.

Division of 3 Into 42: Step-by-Step

Step 1: How many times does $3$ go into $4$?

$$ 4 \div 3 = 1 \text{ remainder } 1 $$

Write $1$ above the $4$, and carry over the $1$ to form $12$.

Step 2: How many times does $3$ go into $12$?

$$ 12 \div 3 = 4 $$

Write $4$ above the $2$.

So the final answer is:

$$ \boxed{14} $$

Check Your Answer

Multiply the divisor by the quotient:

$$ 3 \times 14 = 42 $$

Since the result matches the original dividend, the answer is correct.

Summary

  • Dividend: $42$
  • Divisor: $3$
  • Quotient: $14$
  • Remainder: $0$

Final result:

$$ \boxed{42 \div 3 = 14} $$

Short division provides a clear and accurate way to divide small numbers into larger ones.