308997 ÷ 72 
Our goal is to divide 308997 by 72.

On to step 1:
3 divided by 72 is 0 with a remainder of 3.
Record the quotient 0 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 0.0
If we subtract 0 from 3, we get 3.
Take the next digit (0) from the dividend and append it to 3, then repeat: 30 / 72

Moving on to step 2:
72 goes into 30 0 times with a remainder of 30.
The number 0 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 0.0
Subtracting 0 from 30 leaves us with 30.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 30 and repeat the process: 308 / 72

Moving on to step 3:
72 goes into 308 4 times with a remainder of 20.
Put 4 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 4.0
The remainder is 20 after subtracting 288 from 308.
Include the next digit (9) from the dividend after 20, then repeat: 209 / 72

Advancing to step 4:
209 divided by 72 is 2 with a remainder of 65.
The number 2 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 42.0
If we subtract 144 from 209, we get 65.
Grab the next digit (9) from the dividend, add it to 65, then carry on: 659 / 72

Let's proceed to step 5:
When dividing 659 by 72, we get 9 with a remainder of 11.
The next digit of our result is 9. 
Result so far: 429.0
The remainder is 11 after subtracting 648 from 659.
Grab the next digit (7) from the dividend, add it to 11, then carry on: 117 / 72

On to step 6:
72 goes into 117 1 times with a remainder of 45.
The next digit of our result is 1. 
Result so far: 4291.0
Deduct 72 from 117 and we're left with 45.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 450, and continue the process.

On to step 7:
72 can be fit into 450 6 times, resulting in a remainder of 18.
Write down 6 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 4291.6
If we take 432 away from 450, we end up with 18.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 180, and continue the process.

Let's proceed to step 8:
When dividing 180 by 72, we get 2 with a remainder of 36.
Put 2 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 4291.62
If we take 144 away from 180, we end up with 36.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 360, and continue the process.

Let's proceed to step 9:
The number 72 fits into 360 5 times, leaving a remainder of 0.
The next digit of our result is 5. 
Result so far: 4291.625
Subtract 360 from 360 to get 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

Moving on to step 10:
If we divide 0 by 72, we get 0 and a remainder of 0.
Record the quotient 0 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 4291.625
If we take 0 away from 0, we end up with 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

Step 11:
The number 72 fits into 0 0 times, leaving a remainder of 0.
Put 0 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 4291.625
Subtracting 0 from 0 leaves us with 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

In conclusion, the division gives 4291.625 with a balance of 0.0.