Page:Methods of Operating the Comptometer (1895).djvu/23



The regular rule, illustrated on pages 13-17, for computing division, applies to all examples, large or small, but where the divisor exceeds three or four places the following modification of the regular method is more convenient, because, by this modification, the fingers do not have to handle more than two keys at a time. It is also more simple for, by it, only keys in rows are used (except for the two left hand or trial figures of the divisor) the same as in multiplication.

It is useless for one to attempt to divide by this process until the regular process on pages 13-17 is thoroughly understood.

Rule:—Find a quotient figure by using the two left hand figures of the divisor, and then, on the row of keys on which the "large key figure" is the same as the quotient figure, strike for each of the remaining figures of the divisor; thus, suppose a remaining quotient figure to be 6, count "six, seven, eight," striking each time, which, of course, is three times altogether. Or, suppose the remaining quotient figure is 4, count "four, five, six, seven, eight." Always start counting with the figure and stop at eight, except for the extreme right hand figure which must be struck once extra.