FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

In basic arithmetic, what does the term dividend refer to?

1. The result of addition

2. The number being divided

3. The divisor in a division problem

4. The value of a factor

The correct answer is: The number being divided

The term dividend specifically refers to the number that is being divided in a division operation. In a division equation, there are typically three components: the dividend, the divisor, and the quotient. The dividend is the initial quantity or amount that you want to split into equal parts. For example, in the division problem 12 ÷ 3 = 4, the number 12 is the dividend because it is the quantity being divided into groups of 3. The correct option illustrates this core definition in arithmetic, emphasizing the role of the dividend in the context of division.