Integer Division Using Repeated Subtraction in Python

Program Overview

This Python program reads two integers from the user and simulates division using repeated subtraction.
Instead of using the / operator, it subtracts the smaller number from the larger one until the remainder is less than the divisor.
The number of subtractions equals the quotient.

Python Code:

# Read two numbers from user
a = int(input("Enter the first number: "))
b = int(input("Enter the second number: "))

# Check for division by zero
if b == 0:
    print("Error: Division by zero is not allowed.")
else:
    # Identify dividend and divisor
    dividend = max(a, b)
    divisor = min(a, b)

    # Perform division using subtraction
    quotient = 0
    remainder = dividend
    while remainder >= divisor:
        remainder -= divisor
        quotient += 1

    # Display result
    print("\n--- Result ---")
    print(f"{dividend} divided by {divisor} = {quotient} with remainder {remainder}")

Sample Output:

Enter the first number: 8  
Enter the second number: 2  

--- Result ---
8 divided by 2 = 4 with remainder 0

Step-by-Step Explanation:

- The user enters two integers
- The larger number is treated as the dividend, the smaller as the divisor
- The program subtracts the divisor from the dividend repeatedly
- Each subtraction increments the quotient
- When the remainder becomes less than the divisor, the loop stops
- The final result includes both quotient and remainder