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The Trailing-Zeros Shortcut Rule

publish date: 2026/05/13 08:05:2.043065 UTC

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When both the dividend and divisor end in zeros, what is the trailing-zeros shortcut?

Add the zeros together and attach them to the quotient.

Remove the same number of trailing zeros from both the dividend and divisor before dividing.

Remove all zeros from the dividend only, then divide.

Multiply both numbers by 10 before dividing.

Correct Answer

Remove the same number of trailing zeros from both the dividend and divisor before dividing.

Explanation

The trailing-zeros shortcut: remove the same count of trailing zeros from both numbers. For example, \(9{,}800 \div 350\) → remove one zero from each → \(980 \div 35 = 28\). Removing equal zeros does not change the quotient.

Reference

Mathematics for college students

Quizzes you can take where this question appears

Whole numbers division (vocabulary)