Division

This article is about the arithmetic operation. For other uses, see Division (disambiguation).


In mathematics, especially elementary arithmetic, division is an arithmetic operation which is the reverse operation of multiplication and sometimes can be interpreted as repeated subtraction.
Specifically, if
a × b = c,
where b is nonzero, then
a = c ÷ b
(read as "c divided by b"). So for instance, 6 ÷ 3 = 2 since 2 × 3 = 6.
In the above expression, a is called the quotient, b the divisor and c the dividend.
The expression c ÷ b is also written "c/b" (read "c over b"), especially in higher mathematics (including applications to science and engineering) and in computer programming languages. This form is also often used as the final form of a fraction, without any implication that it needs to be evaluated further.
The meaning of division by zero is not usually defined.