divided by

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrasemathematics

   Used in arithmetic to show that the first number is split into equal parts of the size of the second number.

   Grammar: Placed between two numbers: 20 divided by 5.

   Patterns

   • number divided by number
   • something divided by something equals something

   Twenty divided by five is four.

   If you take the total cost and divide it, nine divided by three gives three.

   Ten divided by three leaves a remainder of one.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Separated or split into parts by something, such as a border, a barrier or a disagreement.

   Grammar: Passive: the town is divided by a river.

   Patterns

   • be divided by something
   • divided by something into something

   The city is divided by a wide river.

   The family was divided by a long argument about money.

   The island is divided by a mountain range into two climates.

Common combinations

ten divided by two

Ten divided by two equals five.

divided by a river

The old town is divided by a river.

divided by zero

Nothing can be divided by zero in ordinary arithmetic.

deeply divided by

The country was deeply divided by the vote.

divided by a wall

The two gardens are divided by a low wall.

Synonyms and how they differ

over

Over is an everyday way to read a fraction, as in six over two, and is common when reading formulas aloud.

split by

Split by is looser and used for physical or social separation, not for arithmetic.

separated by

Separated by stresses what lies between two things, without suggesting the equal parts of division.

Opposites

Word family

divide verb

to split or to carry out division

division noun

the act of dividing, or a section

divisor noun

the number you divide by

dividend noun

the number being divided, or a share of profits

Commonly confused: divided by or divided into?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “divided by”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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