How to Perform Long Division in Base 4: Solving 1303_4 by 23_4

How to Perform Long Division in Base 4: Solving 1303_4 by 23_4

Dividing numbers in base 4 can be a bit complex, especially when working with larger numbers. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of solving 1303_4 divided by 23_4, providing detailed explanations and examples for better understanding.

Step-by-Step Guide to Division in Base 4

To solve 1303_4 divided by 23_4, we follow a series of steps, converting between base 4 and base 10 decimal as necessary.

Step 1: Convert 1303_4 to Decimal

The first step is to convert the number 1303_4 from base 4 to base 10 decimal. In base 4, each digit represents a power of 4, starting from the rightmost digit (least significant digit) with 40.

Therefore, 1303_4 can be expressed as:

1303_4 1 4^3 3 4^2 0 4^1 3 4^0

Calculating each term:

1 4^3 1 64 64

3 4^2 3 16 48

0 4^1 0 4 0

3 4^0 3 1 3

Adding these together:

64 48 0 3 115

Therefore, 1303_4 115_{10}.

Step 2: Convert 23_4 to Decimal

The next step is to convert the number 23_4 from base 4 to base 10 decimal. Using the same method:

23_4 2 4^1 3 4^0

Calculating each term:

2 4^1 2 4 8

3 4^0 3 1 3

Adding these together:

8 3 11

Therefore, 23_4 11_{10}.

Step 3: Perform the Division in Decimal

Now we need to divide 115 by 11:

115 div 11 10.4545...

For integer division, we take the integer part:

115 div 11 10

Step 4: Convert the Result Back to Base 4

Finally, we need to convert the result 10_{10} back to base 4. We do this by repeatedly dividing the number by 4 and keeping track of the remainders:

10 div 4 2 remainder 2

2 div 4 0 remainder 2

Reading the remainders from bottom to top:

10_{10} 22_4

Conclusion

Thus, the result of 1303_4 divided by 23_4 is:

boxed{22_4}

Alternative Method: Long Division in Base 4

Alternatively, if you prefer to perform the division directly in base 4, you can use long division. Here's how:

2 2 . 1 3 1 0 1 3 1 0 - 2 3 1 3 0 3.0 0 0 0 0 ------ 1 1 2 ----- 1 2 3 ----- 1 1.0 ----- 2.3 ----- 2.1 0 ----- 2.0 1 ----- 1 0 0 ----- 2 3 ----- 1 1 0

The answer is 22.overline{13101} in base 4, demonstrating that the division has a recurring decimal in base 4.