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Properties Of Division Of Integers Explained Clearly

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Definition Rules And Solved Examples Of Division Of Integers

The set of integers is made up of numbers, including natural numbers, additive inverses and zero. When we subtract a small number from a larger number, we get a whole number. However, there are no whole numbers to represent 3-8. In order to describe such differences, we created integers.


Division Rules of Integers

As we are familiar with natural and whole numbers, we can apply the properties of the division of integers.


The Division of Integers Rules:


Rule 1: The quotient of two positive integers is always a positive integer.


Rule 2: The quotient value of two negative integers is always a positive integer.


Rule 3: The quotient of one positive integer and one negative integer is always negative.


One thing to remember is that when dividing, you should always divide without signs, but once you have the solution of the integer, give the sign according to the sign given in the problem.


What are the Properties of Integers?

Integers have a few properties that regulate their operations. Many equations can be solved using these principles or properties. To refresh your memory, integers are any positive or negative number, including zero. The properties of these integers will assist in quickly simplifying and answering a series of integer operations.


All properties and identities for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of numbers apply to all integers as well. Integers are the set of positive, zero and negative numbers represented by the letter Z.


Integers have five main operational properties, which are as follows:



Properties of Integers Under Division:

Let's look at the properties of integer division.


  • Property 1:

When one integer '\[x\]' is divided by another integer '\[y\],' the result is that the integer '\[x\]' is divided into '\[y\]' equal parts.

If '$y$' divides ‘$x$’ without leaving any leftover, then '$x$' is divisible by '$y$' evenly.


Example:

When 21 is divided by 3, it is divided into three equal parts, each with a value of 7.


  • Property 2:

When an integer is divided by another integer, the division algorithm is the sum of the quotient's product and the divisor's remainder, where the remainder equals the dividend.


More specifically,

\[\text{Dividend} =\text{ Quotient} \times \text{Divisor} + \text{Remainder}\]

The dividend is the number by which we divide.

The divisor is the integer by which we divide.

The obtained result is known as the quotient.

The remainder is the remaining integer.


  • Property 3:

When you divide an integer by one, the quotient is the number itself.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{7}{1}=7\]


  • Property 4:

The quotient of an integer divided by itself is 1.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{5}{5}=1\]


  • Property 5:

The quotient of any positive or negative integer divided by zero is unknown. As a result, dividing any positive or negative number by zero has no value.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{3}{0}=\text{undefined}\]


  • Property 6:

The quotient is zero when zero is divided by any positive or negative integer.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{0}{5}=0\]


  • Property 7:

When one integer is divided by another integer that is a multiple of ten, such as 10, 100, 1000, and so on, the decimal point must be moved to the left.


Examples:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{123}{10}=12.3\]

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{123}{100}=1.23\]


  • Property 8:

  1. \[\dfrac{\text{Positive}}{\text{Positive}}=\text{Positive}\]

Example: \[\dfrac{12}{3}=4\]


  1. \[\dfrac{\text{Positive}}{\text{Negative}}=\text{Negative}\]

Example: \[\dfrac{12}{-3}=-4\]


  1. \[\dfrac{\text{Negative}}{\text{Positive}}=\text{Negative}\]

Example: \[\dfrac{-12}{3}=-4\]


  1. \[\dfrac{\text{Negative}}{\text{Negative}}=\text{Positive}\]

Example: \[\dfrac{-12}{-3} = 4\]


Properties of Division of Integers with Examples

Integer Division has the following properties:


  • Closure property

  • Commutative property

  • Associative property

  • Division by zero

  • Division by 1


  • Closure Property under Division of Integers:

The division's closure property states that the result of dividing two whole numbers is not always a whole number. Division does not close whole numbers, so \[\dfrac{a}{b}\] is not necessarily a whole number. According to the property, \[\dfrac{35}{7}=5\] (whole number), yet \[\dfrac{5}{15}=\dfrac{1}{3}\] (not a whole number).


  • Commutative Property under Division of Integers:

Whole number division is not commutative. If a and b are both whole numbers, then \[\dfrac{a}{b} \ne \dfrac{b}{a}\].


Consider the following example: a = 14, b = 7.

\[\dfrac{14}{7} \ne \dfrac{7}{14}\].


  • Associative Property under Division of Integers:

The Associative feature does not apply to whole number divisions. If a, b and c are the three whole numbers, then \[\dfrac{a}{\dfrac{b}{c}} \ne \dfrac{\dfrac{a}{b}}{c}\].


Example:

\[\dfrac{24}{\dfrac{12}{2}}\ne \dfrac{\dfrac{24}{12}}{2}\].


  • Division by Zero:

Any entire number that is divided by zero (apart from zero) has no definition or meaning.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{3}{0}=\text{undefined}\]

The result is zero when zero is divided by a full number that is not zero.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{0}{5}=0\]


  • Division by 1:

Any whole number that is not zero and is divided by one will result in the whole number itself as the quotient.


Example:

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac{7}{1}=7\]


Solved Problems

1. Apply the division of integers principles to the following statement to find the solution: \[(-20)\div (-5)\div (-2)\].

Ans: Given that this phrase contains many operations and that we must divide three numbers, we will apply the BODMAS rule in this situation. The Initial Step is \[(-20)\div (-5)\]. Now, we may find the answer by dividing -20 by -5, which is 4. Since \[\text{Negative} \div \text{Negative} =\text{Positive}\], the number 4 is a positive integer. The new expression is therefore \[{4} \div \left({-2}\right)\]. The result of dividing 4 by -2 is -2 since \[\text{Positive}\div \text{Negative} = \text{Negative}\].

As a result, \[(-20)\div (-5)\div (-2) = -2\].


2. What is 91 divided by 7?

Ans: \[91 \div 7\]

\[\Rightarrow \dfrac {91}{7}=13\]


3. Find the value of \[\left[32 + 2 \times 17+(-6)\right]\div 15\].

Ans: \[\left[32 + 2 \times 17+(-6)\right]\div 15\]

\[= \left[32 + 34 +(-6)\right]\div 15\]

\[= \left[66-6\right]\div 15\]

\[= \left[60\right]\div 15\]

= 4


Key Features

  • 1 is the smallest positive integer, and -1 is the largest negative number.



  • Integer Division is not associative in nature.


Practice Questions

1. Evaluate \[\left[36 \div (-9)\right] \div \left[(-24)\div 6\right]\].

Ans: 1


2. Divide 20 by 10.

Ans: 2

FAQs on Properties Of Division Of Integers Explained Clearly

1. What are the properties of division of integers?

The main properties of division of integers include sign rules, non-commutativity, non-associativity, and the division algorithm. Key properties are:

  • Sign rule: Same signs give a positive quotient; different signs give a negative quotient.
  • Not commutative: In general, a ÷ b ≠ b ÷ a.
  • Not associative: (a ÷ b) ÷ c ≠ a ÷ (b ÷ c).
  • Division by 1: a ÷ 1 = a.
  • Division by 0: Division by zero is undefined.
These rules apply to all integers under division.

2. What is the sign rule for division of integers?

The sign rule for division of integers states that dividing two integers with the same sign gives a positive result, and different signs give a negative result.

  • (+) ÷ (+) = +
  • (−) ÷ (−) = +
  • (+) ÷ (−) =
  • (−) ÷ (+) =
Example: (−20) ÷ (−4) = 5, and 20 ÷ (−4) = −5.

3. Is division of integers commutative?

No, division of integers is not commutative, meaning a ÷ b is not equal to b ÷ a in general.

  • Example: 12 ÷ 3 = 4
  • But 3 ÷ 12 = 1/4
Since 4 ≠ 1/4, division does not satisfy the commutative property.

4. Is division of integers associative?

No, division of integers is not associative, meaning (a ÷ b) ÷ c is not equal to a ÷ (b ÷ c).

  • (16 ÷ 4) ÷ 2 = 4 ÷ 2 = 2
  • 16 ÷ (4 ÷ 2) = 16 ÷ 2 = 8
Since 2 ≠ 8, division does not follow the associative property.

5. What is the division algorithm for integers?

The division algorithm states that for integers a and b (b ≠ 0), there exist unique integers q and r such that a = bq + r, where 0 ≤ r < |b|.

  • a = dividend
  • b = divisor
  • q = quotient
  • r = remainder
Example: 17 ÷ 5 gives 17 = 5 × 3 + 2, so q = 3 and r = 2.

6. What happens when you divide an integer by zero?

Division of any integer by zero is undefined because no number multiplied by 0 can produce a nonzero dividend.

  • If a ÷ 0 = x, then 0 × x should equal a.
  • But 0 × x = 0 for all integers x.
Since this is impossible for a ≠ 0, division by zero has no defined value.

7. What is the result when zero is divided by an integer?

When zero is divided by any nonzero integer, the result is 0.

  • 0 ÷ 5 = 0
  • 0 ÷ (−7) = 0
This is because 0 multiplied by any integer equals 0, satisfying the definition of division.

8. Does division of integers satisfy the distributive property?

Division of integers is not distributive over division, but it is distributive over addition and subtraction when dividing each term by the same nonzero integer.

  • (a + b) ÷ c = (a ÷ c) + (b ÷ c), if c ≠ 0
  • Example: (12 + 6) ÷ 3 = 18 ÷ 3 = 6
  • 12 ÷ 3 + 6 ÷ 3 = 4 + 2 = 6
This works only when each term is divisible by the same integer.

9. What is the relationship between division and multiplication of integers?

Division is the inverse operation of multiplication for integers.

  • If a ÷ b = c, then b × c = a.
  • Example: 24 ÷ 6 = 4
  • Check: 6 × 4 = 24
This inverse relationship helps verify answers in integer division problems.

10. Can you give a worked example of division of integers?

A worked example of division of integers follows the sign rule and basic division steps.

  • Example: (−45) ÷ 9
  • Step 1: Different signs → result is negative.
  • Step 2: Divide absolute values: 45 ÷ 9 = 5.
  • Step 3: Apply sign → −5.
Thus, (−45) ÷ 9 = −5.