Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

When using a calculator to solve a division problem, which number should be entered first?

1. Quotient

2. Divisor

3. Dividend

4. Remainder

The correct answer is: Dividend

When solving a division problem using a calculator, the correct approach is to enter the dividend first. The dividend is the number that is being divided. In a division expression such as "A divided by B," A is the dividend, and B is the divisor. Therefore, to perform a division operation accurately, the sequence starts with the dividend followed by the divisor. Entering the dividend first allows the calculator to understand that you are starting with the total amount that will be divided by the specified divisor. Once the dividend is input, the next step is to enter the divisor to obtain the quotient. The concept of the remainder is relevant in division but is typically determined after calculating the quotient, making it unnecessary to enter at the outset. Understanding this process is crucial for accurately performing calculations and interpreting results, particularly in mathematical contexts where division is frequent, such as in algebra and arithmetic operations.