What is the bus stop method?

The Bus Stop Method: A Visual Approach to Long Division

Long division, a crucial arithmetic skill, can sometimes feel daunting. Numbers jostle, steps get muddled, and errors creep in. The “bus stop” method offers a structured, visual approach that can greatly improve comprehension and accuracy. Unlike more abstract methods, the bus stop method employs a clear layout that helps students visualize the division process step by step.

This method’s name stems from its visual representation. The division symbol, sometimes resembling a small bus stop, forms a “house” shape. The dividend (the number being divided) sits underneath the “roof” (the bus stop symbol). The divisor (the number dividing the dividend) is placed outside. The calculated quotient (the answer) appears above the dividend, neatly organized as the calculation unfolds.

The process of using the bus stop method is straightforward. Imagine you’re dividing 744 by 4. First, you’d write 744 underneath the bus stop symbol, with 4 outside it.

4 | 744

Next, follow the process, asking yourself, “how many times does 4 go into 7?” The answer, 1, is written above the 7 in the quotient.

1
4 | 744

Then, multiply 1 by 4 (resulting in 4), and write it below the 7 in the dividend.

1
4 | 744

• 4

Subtracting 4 from 7 gives you 3. Bring down the next digit (4) to the right of the 3, creating 34.

1
4 | 744

• 4

  34

Ask yourself, “how many times does 4 go into 34?” The answer, 8, goes above the 4 in the dividend.

18
4 | 744

• 4

  34

• 32

Multiply 8 by 4, and write 32 below the 34. Subtract to get 2. Bring down the final digit (4), creating 24.

18
4 | 744

• 4

  34

• 32

  24

• 24

  0

Ask, “How many times does 4 go into 24?” The answer, 6, goes above the 4. Multiply 6 by 4 and write 24 below the 24. Subtracting leaves 0.

186
4 | 744

• 4

  34

• 32

  24

• 24

  0

The final answer, 186, appears in the quotient. The neat structure and visual guidance of the bus stop method helps students remain organized, preventing common errors and building confidence in tackling long division problems.