Long Division Theater

Contributor: Katie Schnabel. Lesson ID: 14167

Your palms are sweating, and your stomach is in knots. Then, the curtain opens and all your worries disappear. Learn how to use long division of 4-digit numbers to help your theater troupe.

categories

Elementary, Expressions and Equations

subject
Math
learning style
Auditory, Visual
personality style
Lion, Beaver
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Lights, camera, action!

Picture this: the vibrant costumes, the stunning makeup, and the incredible sets all come together for your big performance. But there’s a twist!

Your theater troupe needs to raise money for new costumes for your upcoming musical.

  • Can you use long division to figure out if you’ve raised enough funds to outfit everyone in the troupe?

Get ready to step into the spotlight and solve some exciting division challenges!

Your theater troupe is overdue for some new costumes for your upcoming musical.

Imagine all the excitement as the curtains rise and the spotlight shines on stage. But before you can perform, you need to ensure everyone is dressed to impress!

the legs of many kids on stage in costumes

There are 24 kids in your troupe, and each costume costs $40. That's a lot of money!

To help fund the new outfits, you organize a bake sale in your community. What a success! You raise $1,056.

  • Now, how much money can each actor get for their costume?

Start with the total amount raised, $1,056. This is your dividend—the number you’re going to divide. The number of kids, 24, is your divisor.

Once you solve this division problem, you’ll find out how much money each actor gets for their costume. The answer you get is called the quotient.

Big numbers can be tricky to divide in your head, so use long division!

  • What is long division?

Long division is a special method that helps you divide large numbers step by step.

Here’s how you set it up.

equation

  • Can 24 go into 1?

No, it can't. Move on to the next number and think of it as 10.

  • Can 24 go into 10?

Still no. Move on to the next number and think of it as 105.

  • Can 24 go into 105?

Yes! Well done.

  • How many times can 24 go into 105?

You might not have this memorized, but that’s okay! Try estimating. Since 24 is close to 25, and you know that 25 fits into 100 four times, that gives you a good starting point.

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  • What is 24 x 4?

You got it! It’s 96. Write 4 on top and 96 below.

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Now, you can subtract.

  • What is 105 - 96?

Yes! It is 9.

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Next, bring down the next number from the dividend, which is 6.

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Now , repeat the process but see how many times 24 goes into 96.

Great news—you already found out that 24 x 4 equals 96!

So, put another 4 on top and write 96 underneath.

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When you subtract, you get zero.

  • What does the zero mean?

It means there’s nothing left over! The number on top, 44, is your answer.

Each actor has $44 to spend on their costume.

  • Does your troupe have enough to buy the costumes they want?

Yes! In fact, they have $4 per kid to spare. Maybe they can each buy a hat or gloves to go with it!

Before the curtain opens, try another example.

2,331 ÷ 63 = ?

Set up the problem like this.

equation

  • Can 63 go into 2?

Nope.

  • How about 23?

Still no. Try 233.

  • Can 63 go into 23?

Yes! Now, figure out how many times 63 can fit into 233. Estimate by rounding.

  • If you think of 63 as 60 and 233 as 240, where could you start?

4 may be good.

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  • What is 63 x 4?

That’s too big at 252. Try 3 instead.

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  • What’s 63 x 3?

You got it—189! Write the 3 on top and 189 underneath.

63 x 3 equals 189. We can place the 3 up on top and write the 189 underneath.

  • What do you do next?

Subtract! 233 - 189 equals 44.

Then, bring down the next number to keep the problem going.

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  • How many times can 63 fit into 441?

Using your previous work, you know that 63 x 7 equals 441.

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When you subtract, 441 - 441 equals zero, which means there is no remainder.

  • What is the answer?

You got it! 37.

Great work! Now, you’re ready to practice long division!

Head to the Got It? section for fun practice problems and interactive games.

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