Multiplication table method
Dividing by a big number like 47 is tricky because you don’t know the 47 times table by heart. So we write it out first!
For 47:
| 1×47 | 47 |
| 2×47 | 94 |
| 3×47 | 141 |
| 4×47 | 188 |
| 5×47 | 235 |
| 6×47 | 282 |
| 7×47 | 329 |
| 8×47 | 376 |
| 9×47 | 423 |
Now you can quickly find the biggest number that fits.
For 31443 ÷ 47, look at 314. In the table, 282 fits (6 × 47) but 329 is too big. So the first digit is 6.
Then 324: 282 fits again, so 6. Then 423: exactly 9 × 47. Answer = 669.
Quick way to build the table: keep adding 47. 47 + 47 = 94, 94 + 47 = 141, and so on. Check: 10 × 47 should be 470.
Writing the table takes a minute, but then every step of the long division is easy to look up. Try it in Practise.
Practise
Quiz: earn your stamp
Printable worksheet
Multiplication table method worksheet. The questions are on the first page, and the answers for grown-ups are on the last page, so you can print just the first page for your child.
Printing is optional. A4 size.