> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/divide.md).

# Divide

Divide behaves differently according to the type of the LHS:

* strings: split by the divider
* number: arithmetic division

## String split

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: cat_meow
b: _
```

then

```bash
yq '.c = .a / .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
a: cat_meow
b: _
c:
  - cat
  - meow
```

## Number division

The result during division is calculated as a float

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: 12
b: 2.5
```

then

```bash
yq '.a = .a / .b' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
a: 4.8
b: 2.5
```

## Number division by zero

Dividing by zero results in +Inf or -Inf

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: 1
b: -1
```

then

```bash
yq '.a = .a / 0 | .b = .b / 0' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
a: !!float +Inf
b: !!float -Inf
```