Compatible Numbers Division

Use this trick when a number is close to a multiple of the divisor and can be split into parts that divide evenly.

  1. Break the dividend into parts that divide evenly by the divisor.
  2. Divide each part separately.
  3. Add the results.
98 ÷ 7
Break 98 into 70 + 28
70 ÷ 7 = 10, 28 ÷ 7 = 4
10 + 4 = 14
144 ÷ 12
Break 144 into 120 + 24
120 ÷ 12 = 10, 24 ÷ 12 = 2
10 + 2 = 12
156 ÷ 13
Break 156 into 130 + 26
130 ÷ 13 = 10, 26 ÷ 13 = 2
10 + 2 = 12
  • Use parts that are easy to divide in your head.
  • Look for compatible multiples of the divisor.