# dotDivide() Function & Examples

Use the dotDivide() operators function in Calcul.io. Review its syntax, edit working examples, understand the result, and explore related math functions.

## dotDivide

#### x ./ y

#### dotDivide(x, y)

Try it yourself:

```calculio
a = [1, 2, 3; 4, 5, 6]
b = [2, 1, 1; 3, 2, 5]
a ./ b
```

[multiply](https://calcul.io/function/multiply/index.md)

[divide](https://calcul.io/function/divide/index.md)

---

## dotDivide(): Element-Wise Division

**dotDivide()** divides matching entries of arrays or matrices. For example, dotDivide([10, 20], [2, 4]) returns [5, 5]. It is useful for normalization, ratios, and scaling each measurement independently.

## Shape and zero checks

Inputs normally need compatible shapes, and every divisor entry must be nonzero. Inspect dimensions using [size()](https://calcul.io/function/size/index.md); use [equal()](https://calcul.io/function/equal/index.md) or filtering logic to identify zero entries before calculating. A single invalid denominator can invalidate a whole result.

dotDivide differs from [divide()](https://calcul.io/function/divide/index.md), whose matrix rules are mathematical division rather than entry-by-entry processing. The matching companion is [dotMultiply()](https://calcul.io/function/dotMultiply/index.md); applying it with the divisor can verify a result. Use [map()](https://calcul.io/function/map/index.md) when each entry needs additional custom handling.

## Interpretation

Element-wise ratios retain the matrix shape, so label axes and units carefully. A ratio can be dimensionless, but it can also carry a derived unit when numerator and denominator differ.

[All functions](https://calcul.io/functions/index.md)