Word problem: dividing by 100
22 October 2026
Word problems often ask you to find the cost or value of just one item from a group. When you see a question about dividing by 100, it helps to break it down into small steps.
Worked example
A pack of 100 pencils costs £20. How much does 1 pencil cost?
Step 1: We need to divide £20 by 100 to find the cost of 1 pencil.
Step 2: £20 divided by 100 means £20 ÷ 100.
Step 3: To divide by 100, move the digits two places to the right. £20 becomes £0.20.
The correct answer is £0.20.
Now you can spot when a word problem is asking you to divide by 100. This skill will help you with similar questions in your 11+ practice.
