Understanding Computer Programming

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Scott Badman, Instructor


Topic: Long Division as done by a human

January 28, 2016


The Long Division algorithm you learned in Elementary School is actually very complicated, and takes some intuition to complete. A lot of elementary school students have a tough time with it. Long Division is also hard to program on a computer. There are easier algorithms to do division on a computer.

Human Long Division of 482 divided by 17

Human Long Division


The problem, for both children and programmers, is answering the questions:
How many 17's go into 48 ?
How many 17's go into 142 ?

Understanding Computer Programming

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Scott Badman, Instructor