Factor the Divisor

Divide 360 ÷ 15 by splitting 15 into 3 × 5. First divide by 5: 360 ÷ 5 = 72. Then divide by 3: 72 ÷ 3 = 24. Two easy steps replace one hard one. This works whenever your divisor breaks cleanly into smaller numbers, and most everyday divisors do.

For 540 ÷ 12, split 12 into 4 × 3. Divide by 4 (halve twice: 540, 270, 135), then divide 135 by 3 to get 45. The trick is picking factor pairs you can handle in your head.