Page 67 - ICSE Math 4

Division as Repeated Subtraction

We can fi nd the quo ent by repeated subtrac on.

Example 2: There are 12 ice cubes in a tray. If 2 ice cubes have to be put in each glass how

many glasses are needed?
Solu on: Put 2 ice cubes in the fi rst glass. 12 – 2 = 10

Put 2 ice cubes in the second glass. 10 – 2 = 8

Put 2 ice cubes in the third glass. 8 – 2 = 6

Put 2 ice cubes in the fourth glass. 6 – 2 = 4

Put 2 ice cubes in the fi h glass. 4 – 2 = 2

Put 2 ice cubes in the sixth glass. 2 – 2 = 0

No more ice cubes are le now. Thus, 12 ice cubes were distributed in
6 glasses in groups of 2 each.

We can also say that 2 subtracted from 12 six mes to distribute the ice cubes.
Therefore, we can say that division is repeated subtrac on.

Thus, 12 ÷ 2 = 6. So, we need 6 glasses to distribute 12 ice cubes equally.

Mental Maths

Fill in the blanks by writing the quotient.
(a) 16  4 = _______
(b) 18 _______
(c) If 20 – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5 = 0, then 20 4 = _______.
(d) If 6 × 4 = 24, then 24 4 = _______.
(e) If 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 54, then 9 × 6 = _______.

Exercise 6.2

1. Observe the following and fi ll in the boxes.

(a) 28 – 7 – 7 – 7 – 7 or ÷ =

(b) 12 – 3 – 3 – 3 – 3 or ÷ =

2. Honey has 21 candies. She gives 3 candies to each of her friends. Use repeated
subtrac on to fi nd out how many friends get the candies?

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