42481 ÷ 3 = 14160 R1
Let's divide 42481 by 3.

Step 1:
3 goes into 4 1 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 1 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1
Subtract 3 from 4 to get 1.
Bring next digit (2) of the dividend behind the 1 and repeat the process: 12 / 3

Step 2:
3 goes into 12 4 times with a remainder of 0.
Write down 4 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 14
Subtract 12 from 12 to get 0.
Bring next digit (4) of the dividend behind the 0 and repeat the process: 4 / 3

Step 3:
3 goes into 4 1 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 1 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 141
Subtract 3 from 4 to get 1.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 1 and repeat the process: 18 / 3

Step 4:
3 goes into 18 6 times with a remainder of 0.
Write down 6 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1416
Subtract 18 from 18 to get 0.
Bring next digit (1) of the dividend behind the 0 and repeat the process: 1 / 3

Step 5:
3 goes into 1 0 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 0 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 14160
Subtract 0 from 1 to get 1.

The final result is 14160 with a remainder of 1.