987 divided by 21 can be worked out in two steps because 21=3×7, so divide 987 by either 3 or 7, then divide the result by the other number. Example: divide 987 by 7=141, then divide 141 by 3=47. So 987/21=47.
Or: divide 987 by 3=329 then divide 327 by 7=47.