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Dividing Integers

Because division is the inverse operation of multiplication, every division fact corresponds to a multiplication fact. For example, 15÷3=515 \div 3 = 5 because 53=155 \cdot 3 = 15. This inverse relationship means the sign rules for dividing integers mirror those for multiplication:

  • Same signs → positive quotient: When the dividend and divisor share the same sign, the quotient is positive. For example, (5)(3)=15(-5)(-3) = 15 so 15÷(3)=515 \div (-3) = -5, and 53=155 \cdot 3 = 15 so 15÷3=515 \div 3 = 5.
  • Different signs → negative quotient: When the dividend and divisor have opposite signs, the quotient is negative. For example, 5(3)=15-5(3) = -15 so 15÷3=5-15 \div 3 = -5, and 5(3)=155(-3) = -15 so 15÷(3)=5-15 \div (-3) = 5.

Two special cases involve zero:

  • Zero divided by any nonzero integer is 00: For any a0a \neq 0, 0÷a=00 \div a = 0. For example, 0÷5=00 \div 5 = 0.
  • Division by zero is undefined: For any integer aa, the expression a÷0a \div 0 has no defined value, because no number multiplied by 00 can produce a nonzero result.

Because of this inverse relationship, a division answer can always be checked by multiplying the quotient by the divisor to see whether the dividend is recovered.

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Updated 2026-05-03

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