Let's divide 987478 by 42
We want to figure out the number of times 987478 can be divided by 42.

Going ahead to step 1:
42 can be fit into 9 0 times, resulting in a remainder of 9.
Write down 0 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 0.0
Subtract 0 from 9 to get 9.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 9 and repeat the process: 98 / 42

On to step 2:
The number 42 fits into 98 2 times, leaving a remainder of 14.
The number 2 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 2.0
If we subtract 84 from 98, we get 14.
Take the next digit (7) from the dividend and append it to 14, then repeat: 147 / 42

Moving on to step 3:
When dividing 147 by 42, we get 3 with a remainder of 21.
Use 3 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 23.0
Subtracting 126 from 147 leaves us with 21.
Fetch the next digit (4) from the dividend, attach it to 21 and continue: 214 / 42

Step 4:
When dividing 214 by 42, we get 5 with a remainder of 4.
Write down 5 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 235.0
If we subtract 210 from 214, we get 4.
Grab the next digit (7) from the dividend, add it to 4, then carry on: 47 / 42

Let's proceed to step 5:
47 divided by 42 is 1 with a remainder of 5.
Write down 1 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 2351.0
If we subtract 42 from 47, we get 5.
Take the next digit (8) from the dividend and append it to 5, then repeat: 58 / 42

Moving on to step 6:
42 can be fit into 58 1 times, resulting in a remainder of 16.
Put 1 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 23511.0
If we subtract 42 from 58, we get 16.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 160, and continue the process.

Step 7:
160 divided by 42 is 3 with a remainder of 34.
Record the quotient 3 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 23511.3
The remainder is 34 after subtracting 126 from 160.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 340, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 8:
The number 42 fits into 340 8 times, leaving a remainder of 4.
Write down 8 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 23511.38
Subtract 336 from 340 to get 4.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 40, and continue the process.

Moving on to step 9:
42 can be fit into 40 0 times, resulting in a remainder of 40.
Put 0 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 23511.38
If we take 0 away from 40, we end up with 40.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 400, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 10:
If we divide 400 by 42, we get 9 and a remainder of 22.
The next digit of our result is 9. 
Result so far: 23511.3809
Subtract 378 from 400 to get 22.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 220, and continue the process.

On to step 11:
42 goes into 220 5 times with a remainder of 10.
The next digit of our result is 5. 
Result so far: 23511.38095
Subtract 210 from 220 to get 10.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 100, and continue the process.

Advancing to step 12:
42 can be fit into 100 2 times, resulting in a remainder of 16.
The number 2 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 23511.380952
If we subtract 84 from 100, we get 16.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 160, and continue the process.

On to step 13:
42 can be fit into 160 3 times, resulting in a remainder of 34.
Put 3 as the next digit of the answer. 
Result so far: 23511.3809523
Deduct 126 from 160 and we're left with 34.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 340, and continue the process.

On to step 14:
If we divide 340 by 42, we get 8 and a remainder of 4.
The next digit of our result is 8. 
Result so far: 23511.38095238
Subtract 336 from 340 to get 4.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 40, and continue the process.

The quotient of the division is 23511.38095238, and the remainder is 4e-09.