OT: computer arithmetic question on integer division

[Gordon Keehn]

Globe Trotter wrote:

>HI,
>
>Does anyone know how the computer *actually* does integer
>division? I understand that with powers of 2, it just does bit
>shifting, but what about other powers, do you know?
>
>(for example, 5/2 = 101/10 so shift the 101 by 1 and get 10, but how
>does 5/3 work, lets say?)
>
>Thanks and best wishes!
>  
>
    I feel sorry for anyone who isn't old enough to remember the noise 
the old Marchant electro-mechanical calculators made while dividing (in 
decimal).  Anyone who spent any time using (or watching) one of them can 
have no trouble understanding how multiplication and division work!
    Cheers,
Gordon Keehn