We look at the division of 38972 by 8 
Our goal is to divide 38972 by 8.

Let's proceed to step 1:
When dividing 3 by 8, we get 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 (8) from the dividend and append it to 3, then repeat: 38 / 8

Going ahead to step 2:
38 divided by 8 is 4 with a remainder of 6.
Write down 4 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 4.0
Subtracting 32 from 38 leaves us with 6.
Include the next digit (9) from the dividend after 6, then repeat: 69 / 8

On to step 3:
8 can be fit into 69 8 times, resulting in a remainder of 5.
Record the quotient 8 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 48.0
If we take 64 away from 69, we end up with 5.
Include the next digit (7) from the dividend after 5, then repeat: 57 / 8

Let's proceed to step 4:
When dividing 57 by 8, we get 7 with a remainder of 1.
Write down 7 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 487.0
Subtracting 56 from 57 leaves us with 1.
Include the next digit (2) from the dividend after 1, then repeat: 12 / 8

On to step 5:
When dividing 12 by 8, we get 1 with a remainder of 4.
Write down 1 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 4871.0
Deduct 8 from 12 and we're left with 4.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 40, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 6:
If we divide 40 by 8, we get 5 and a remainder of 0.
Record the quotient 5 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 4871.5
The remainder is 0 after subtracting 40 from 40.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

Let's proceed to step 7:
0 divided by 8 is 0 with a remainder of 0.
Use 0 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 4871.5
The remainder is 0 after subtracting 0 from 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 8:
When dividing 0 by 8, we get 0 with a remainder of 0.
The next digit of our result is 0. 
Result so far: 4871.5
The remainder is 0 after subtracting 0 from 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

The final outcome is 4871.5, with a leftover of 0.0.