How do I divide in the Linux console?

Question

I have to variables and I want to find the value of one divided by the other. What commands should I use to do this?

Answer 1

Check this article: http://www.basicallytech.com/blog/index.php?/archives/23-command-line-calculations-using-bc.html

Answer 2

I assume that by Linux console you mean Bash.

If X and Y are your variables, $(($X / $Y)) returns what you ask for.

Answer 3

In the bash shell, surround arithmetic expressions with $(( ... ))

$ echo $(( 7 / 3 ))
2

Although I think you are limited to integers.

Answer 4

Example of integer division using bash to divide $a by $b:

echo $((a/b))

Answer 5

In bash, if you don't need fractions in your division, you can do:

>echo $((5+6))
11
>echo $((10/2))
5
>echo $((10/3))
3

Answer 6

I still prefer using dc, which is an RPN calculator, so quick session to divide 67 by 18 with 4 digits precision would look like

>dc
4k
67
18/p
3.7222
q
>

Obviously, much more available: man dc