Definition of quotient

The quotient is the number resulting from a division problem. For example, the number resulting from dividing 8 by 4 is 2. Therefore, the quotient is 4.

The following numbers shown in red are examples of quotients.

Quotient


The quotient can also result from dividing a polynomial by another polynomial.

For example, the quotient of    (x2 + x) / x  is  x + 1.

The quotient does not exist when you divide a number by zero.

For example, 8 / 0 has no answer because there is nothing you can multiply 0 by to get 8!

Below we show you how to go from a verbal description to a symbolic description.

Verbal Description

The quotient of 16 and 8 is 2

Symbolic Description

  16  ÷ 8 = 2

 16/8 = 2

The quotient of 16 and 8 is 2

Notice that the quotient of 16 and 8 is not the same as the quotient of 8 and 16.

The quotient of 16 and 8 = 16/8 = 2

The quotient of 8 and 16 = 8/16 = 0.5

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Math words beginning with the letter q

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