How to divide two numbers in JavaScript with out using the "/" operator?

Here're some tips on how to divide numbers in javascript without using the "/" operator. This is a very efficacy method. Which means that it has just a few steps.

I will use ES6 syntax for writing my code.

const divide = (dividend, divisor) => {
    if (divisor === 0) {
        throw new Error("Division by zero is not allowed.");
    }

    let quotient = 0;
    let isNegative = false;

    if ((dividend < 0 && divisor > 0) || (dividend > 0 && divisor < 0)) {
        isNegative = true;
    }

    dividend = Math.abs(dividend);
    divisor = Math.abs(divisor);

    while (dividend >= divisor) {
        dividend -= divisor;
        quotient++;
    }

    if (isNegative) {
        quotient = -quotient;
    }

    return quotient;
}

// Test the divide function
console.log(divide(10, 1)); // Output should be 5
console.log(divide(7, 3)); // Output should be 2
console.log(divide(10, -2)); // Output should be -5
console.log(divide(-7, 3)); // Output should be -2
console.log(divide(0, 5)); // Output should be 0
console.log(divide(2, 10)); // Output should be 0

Breakdown

First, we declare the function divide and pass the dividend and divisor as parameters.

In the function block, we start by checking if the divisor is equal to zero. If that is true, we throw an error message.

The next step is to declare the quotient and assign it to zero, and isNegative and assign it the value of false.

We then check if any of the numbers is less than zero, which makes isNegative return true.

If isNegative returns true, we take the absolute value of the numbers to convert them to positive numbers by using the JS built-in Math.abs().

We now enter a while loop that keeps subtracting the divisor from the dividend, and the quotient is incremented.

If isNegative is true, the quotient should be multiplied by *-1 * and returned as our result.

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Comments

[AviKKi]

Alternatively you can do a binary search for the solution in range 0 to dividend in log(n) time

[Ticha Godwill Nji]

Thank you for your comment! Yes, using binary search for division can indeed provide a more efficient solution, especially for large dividends. It's a great way to optimize the algorithm and reduce computation time. I appreciate you highlighting this approach!

[AviKKi]

Alternatively you can do a binary search for the solution in range 0 to dividend

[Ticha Godwill Nji]

Absolutely, it can be used in the** while loop**.
There are many methods that can be used to in accomplish this same results.

Binary

while (left <= right) {
let mid = Math.floor((left + right) / 2);
if (mid * divisor <= dividend) {
quotient = mid;
left = mid + 1;
} else {
right = mid - 1;
}
}

[CitronBrick]

you can enable syntax highlighting through:

triple backtick javascript
code
triple backtick

[Ticha Godwill Nji]

Thanks for letting me know Buddy!

[Jon Randy 🎖️]

You could also use logarithms

[Ticha Godwill Nji]

Thank you for your comment! It's a great way to optimize the algorithm and reduce computation time. I appreciate you highlighting this approach!

[Jon Randy 🎖️]

? I never mentioned binary search

// Calculate a/b without /
Math.exp(Math.log(a) - Math.log(b))

Yes, you'll need some code to handle negative numbers, but this highlights the main approach

[Jon Randy 🎖️]

let a = 5
a /= 2

I didn't use the / operator :)

[Spencer]

I like it! I wonder if there is a way to speed this up by wrapping the negative number handling into the math 🤔

[Ticha Godwill Nji]

That's a great idea! Handling negative numbers within the mathematical calculations can streamline the code and potentially improve its efficiency. One way to achieve this is by leveraging the absolute values of the dividend and divisor during the binary search process, and then adjusting the sign of the quotient accordingly. This approach avoids the need for separate handling of negative numbers.