Division of Integers

Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

• divide integers (with non-zero divisor)

• interpret quotients of rational numbers by
describing real-world contexts
• Doing division of integers is not that
different from doing simple division of
whole numbers, which you have learned
before. Probably, the only difference in the
method is the signs.
• Fortunately, the sign rules for multiplication
of integers are the same with division.
 Learn about It!
• Division of integers is almost the same as
the division of whole numbers except that
the sign of the quotient needs to be
determined.
• In the expression a÷b=c, a is called
the dividend or numerator, b the divisor
or denominator and the result c is called
the quotient.
• There are three cases you will encounter
in dividing integers.
 Learn about It!
There are three cases you will encounter in
dividing integers.
• Case 1. If both the dividend and the
divisor are positive, the quotient will be
positive.
 Examples

• (+20)÷(+5)=+4

• (+8)÷(+4)=+2
 Learn about It!
• Case 2. If both the dividend and the
divisor are negative, the quotient will be
positive.
• Case 3. If only one of the dividend or the
divisor is negative, the quotient will be
negative.
 Examples

• (−20)÷(−5)=+4
• (−8)÷(−4)=+2
• (+20)÷(−5)=−4
• (−30)÷(+5)=−6
 Try It!

• 36÷(−4)
• (−48)÷(−6)
 Try It! Solution

• 36÷(−4)=−9

The signs are different so the final answer

is negative.
• (−48)÷(−6)=+8

The signs are the same so the final

answer is positive.
 Tips

• The divisor should not be equal to zero

because a number divided by zero is
undefined.
• The quotient of two integers is not always
an integer. It can be a decimal number.
 Key Points

• If the signs of the dividend and the divisor

are the same, then the quotient will be
positive.
• If the signs are different, then the quotient
will be negative.