What Does “Divide by sth” Mean?
“Divide by sth” means to split a number or quantity by another number (sth stands for “something”). It is commonly used in math to describe the action of dividing.
Introduction
The phrase “divide by sth” is mainly used in mathematics and everyday language to explain the process of splitting or sharing something into equal parts. The “sth” here is a placeholder for any number or amount you want to divide by. Understanding the divide by sth meaning helps learners grasp how division works, whether in simple calculations or real-life situations like sharing food or money. This phrase is essential for clear communication in both spoken and written English, especially when describing actions involving numbers. Knowing how to use “divide by sth” correctly will improve your math vocabulary and everyday expressions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Divide by sth (divide by something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: A1–B1
- Short meaning: To split a number or amount by another number
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Divide by sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, which means you cannot separate the verb “divide” and the preposition “by” with the object.
Pattern:
- Divide + (number/quantity) + by + (number)
Example: Divide 20 by 4.
How to Use “Divide by sth”?
Use “divide by sth” when you want to express splitting or sharing a number or amount into equal parts using another number. It is common in math problems, instructions, or describing sharing in daily life.
For example, when solving a math problem, you say, “Divide 15 by 3 to get 5.” In everyday situations, you might say, “We need to divide the cake by 8 so everyone gets a piece.”
Examples
- To find the average, divide the total score by the number of players.
- If you divide 100 by 5, the result is 20.
- She divided the money by three to share it equally among her siblings.
- In the problem, divide the length by 2 to get the width.
- Remember to divide the bill by the number of people at the table.
These examples show how to use “divide by sth” in a sentence clearly.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Divide by 4 the number 12.
- Correct: Divide the number 12 by 4.
- Incorrect: Divide 10 with 2.
- Correct: Divide 10 by 2.
Remember, the preposition “by” is always used after the number you want to divide, and the order matters.
Differences / Synonyms
Divide by sth specifically refers to the mathematical action of splitting a number by another number. Similar phrases include:
- Split into sth: Means to separate something into parts, but not always equal parts. Example: Split the cake into six slices.
- Share with sth: Focuses on distributing items among people, often equally but not always. Example: Share the candies with your friends.
Unlike “split” or “share,” “divide by sth” always involves numbers and precise calculation.
Common Collocations
- Divide by zero – to divide a number by zero (undefined in math)
- Divide by two – split into two equal parts
- Divide by ten – reduce by a factor of ten
- Divide by the number of items – distribute equally
- Divide by fractions – split using fractional numbers
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of divide by sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: How do I find the price per item if I have the total cost?
John: Just divide the total cost by the number of items.
Anna: So if the total is $50 and I have 5 items, I divide 50 by 5?
John: Exactly! You get $10 per item.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
To find the value of each share, you need to ______ the total amount ______ the number of people.
- a) divide, by
- b) divide, with
- c) split, by
- d) share, with
Answer: a) divide, by
FAQs
- Q: Can “divide by sth” be used in non-math contexts? A: It is mostly used with numbers but can describe splitting anything into equal parts.
- Q: Is “divide by” separable? A: No, “divide by” is inseparable and must stay together.
- Q: What is the difference between “divide by” and “split into”? A: “Divide by” is for equal numeric division, “split into” means breaking into parts, not always equal.
- Q: Can I say “divide 10 with 2”? A: No, the correct preposition is “by,” not “with.”
- Q: What happens if you divide by zero? A: Dividing by zero is undefined in mathematics.
