Definition
In a division problem, the divisor is the number by which another number (the dividend) is being divided. In the expression 12 ÷ 4 = 3, the 4 is the divisor, the 12 is the dividend, and the 3 is the quotient.
Plain English
The number you are dividing by. If you split 12 things into groups of 4, the 4 is the divisor.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation maintenance math, such as unit conversions, averages, and simple shop calculations.
Derivation
From the Latin dividere, meaning to split or separate. The divisor is literally the splitter — the number that tells you how to split the dividend.
Why Pilots Care
Maintenance and flight calculations constantly involve division — fuel burn, weight distribution, conversions, ratios. Knowing which number plays which role keeps the math reliable.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse the divisor with the number being divided. In 36 divided by 12, 36 is the number being divided and 12 is the divisor.
Example Sentence 1
To find the average fuel burn per hour, the technician used total fuel used as the dividend and total flight hours as the divisor.
Example Sentence 2
When determining average fuel flow, total fuel consumed is divided by flight hours, with the hours serving as the divisor.