divide

Everyday

1. To divide is to split a number or amount into equal parts or groups; it is the operation ÷. tree →
2. To divide is to split anything into parts: divide the class into teams. tree →
3. To divide can mean to keep two places apart: a river divides the town. tree →

In the lessons

the operation ÷ ; the opposite of multiplying («Dividing undoes multiplying»); «divide A by B» = A ÷ B; «shared equally», «split equally», «each gets» point to dividing; in everyday life dividing a pizza, dividing into teams; in science cells divide to make new cells

Examples

• When we share a number of things equally into groups, we divide. tree →
• Dividing undoes multiplying: 3 × 4 = 12, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4. tree →
• Divide 18 sweets among 6 children. tree →
• The class of 24 is divided into 4 teams. tree →
• 20 divided by 5 is 4. tree →
• Dad divided the pizza into 8 slices. tree →
• A fence divides our garden from the park. tree →
• Divide the page into two columns. tree →
• They divided the money into three heaps. tree →

Note

Divide when a total is shared equally or put into equal groups; check by multiplying back. Trap: the total comes first: «divide 18 by 6» is 18 ÷ 6, not 6 ÷ 18. You cannot divide by zero. Noun «division»; what is left over is the «remainder».

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it often means sharing out the land among the tribes, or separating one thing from another.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the dividing of the land by lot as fair and God-guided, with each tribe's share set by its numbers.

Examples

• And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. (Torah GEN.33.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.' (Torah NUM.26.56, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. (Torah NUM.26.53, JPS 1917) tree →
• I say: Thou and Ziba divide the land.' (Prophets 2SA.19.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• So they made an end of dividing the land. (Prophets JOS.19.51, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoil? (Prophets JDG.5.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Divide when a total is shared equally or put into equal groups; check by multiplying back. Trap: the total comes first: «divide 18 by 6» is 18 ÷ 6, not 6 ÷ 18. You cannot divide by zero. Noun «division»; what is left over is the «remainder».