Division · level 2
Division by factors
Split the divisor into two easy factors and divide twice. Two short divisions beat one long one every time.
Worked example: 3,528 ÷ 24
÷ 6588
÷ 4147
Step by step
- 1
Factorise the divisor
24 = 6 × 4
- 2
Divide by 6
3,528 ÷ 6 = 588
- 3
Divide by 4
588 ÷ 4 = 147
3,528 ÷ 24 = 147
The theory behind it
Intuition
Dividing by factors turns one hard division into two easy ones: ÷12 is ÷3 then ÷4. Order the factors so the first division stays clean.
Common pitfalls
- ×Multiplying by a factor instead of dividing on the second step.
- ×Choosing factors that create repeating decimals early.
In the interview
Unit economics is division: cost per user, revenue per store, payback in years.