short division

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. division, especially by a one-digit divisor, in which the steps of the process are performed mentally and are not written down.

---

short division British  

noun

1. the division of numbers, usually integers, that can be worked out mentally rather than on paper

---

Etymology

Origin of short division

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

short division

Very often a long and a short division will be adjacent, and will be the more easily observed in consequence.

From The Methods of Glass Blowing and of Working Silica in the Oxy-Gas Flame For the use of chemical and physical students by Shenstone, W. A.

The first act of the sisters, on recovering, was to double the amount on Ruth’s list of poor people, and to work out another sum in short division on the back of an old letter.

From The Young Trawler by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

When complex fillings are introduced, subject is helped out; does not have to put so much into the short division.

From Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 Containing Sixteen Experimental Investigations from the Harvard Psychological Laboratory. by Münsterberg, Hugo

Toward the last weeks of the term he was able to multiply with considerable accuracy and to divide in short division.

From A Busy Year at the Old Squire's by Stephens, C. A. (Charles Asbury)

"That would be long and short division," said she; but her voice faltered in saying it.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866 by Various