We look at the division of 12981 by 78 
We're looking to find how many times 78 goes into 12981.

On to step 1:
When dividing 1 by 78, we get 0 with a remainder of 1.
Write down 0 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 0.0
If we take 0 away from 1, we end up with 1.
Append the next digit (2) from the dividend to 1 and continue with: 12 / 78

Let's proceed to step 2:
12 divided by 78 is 0 with a remainder of 12.
Put 0 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 0.0
The remainder is 12 after subtracting 0 from 12.
Include the next digit (9) from the dividend after 12, then repeat: 129 / 78

On to step 3:
129 divided by 78 is 1 with a remainder of 51.
The number 1 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 1.0
Subtracting 78 from 129 leaves us with 51.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 51 and repeat the process: 518 / 78

Step 4:
518 divided by 78 is 6 with a remainder of 50.
Use 6 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 16.0
If we subtract 468 from 518, we get 50.
Include the next digit (1) from the dividend after 50, then repeat: 501 / 78

Let's proceed to step 5:
78 goes into 501 6 times with a remainder of 33.
The number 6 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 166.0
If we subtract 468 from 501, we get 33.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 330, and continue the process.

Step 6:
The number 78 fits into 330 4 times, leaving a remainder of 18.
The next digit of our result is 4. 
Result so far: 166.4
The remainder is 18 after subtracting 312 from 330.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 180, and continue the process.

Step 7:
When dividing 180 by 78, we get 2 with a remainder of 24.
The next digit of our result is 2. 
Result so far: 166.42
If we take 156 away from 180, we end up with 24.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 240, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 8:
240 divided by 78 is 3 with a remainder of 6.
The number 3 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 166.423
Deduct 234 from 240 and we're left with 6.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 60, and continue the process.

Let's proceed to step 9:
If we divide 60 by 78, we get 0 and a remainder of 60.
Write down 0 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 166.423
Deduct 0 from 60 and we're left with 60.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 600, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 10:
78 goes into 600 7 times with a remainder of 54.
Record the quotient 7 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 166.42307
If we take 546 away from 600, we end up with 54.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 540, and continue the process.

Step 11:
540 divided by 78 is 6 with a remainder of 72.
The next digit of our result is 6. 
Result so far: 166.423076
Subtracting 468 from 540 leaves us with 72.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 720, and continue the process.

On to step 12:
When dividing 720 by 78, we get 9 with a remainder of 18.
Put 9 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 166.4230769
The remainder is 18 after subtracting 702 from 720.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 180, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 13:
78 can be fit into 180 2 times, resulting in a remainder of 24.
Write down 2 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 166.42307692
Deduct 156 from 180 and we're left with 24.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 240, and continue the process.

In conclusion, the division gives 166.42307692 with a balance of 2.4e-08.