We look at the division of 278721 by 2 
We want to divide 278721 by 2.

Moving on to step 1:
2 can be fit into 2 1 times, resulting in a remainder of 0.
Use 1 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 1.0
If we subtract 2 from 2, we get 0.
Append the next digit (7) from the dividend to 0 and continue with: 7 / 2

Let's proceed to step 2:
The number 2 fits into 7 3 times, leaving a remainder of 1.
Use 3 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 13.0
If we subtract 6 from 7, we get 1.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 1 and repeat the process: 18 / 2

Step 3:
If we divide 18 by 2, we get 9 and a remainder of 0.
The next digit of our result is 9. 
Result so far: 139.0
The remainder is 0 after subtracting 18 from 18.
Grab the next digit (7) from the dividend, add it to 0, then carry on: 7 / 2

On to step 4:
2 goes into 7 3 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 3 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 1393.0
Subtract 6 from 7 to get 1.
Take the next digit (2) from the dividend and append it to 1, then repeat: 12 / 2

On to step 5:
2 can be fit into 12 6 times, resulting in a remainder of 0.
Use 6 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 13936.0
Deduct 12 from 12 and we're left with 0.
Fetch the next digit (1) from the dividend, attach it to 0 and continue: 1 / 2

Moving on to step 6:
When dividing 1 by 2, we get 0 with a remainder of 1.
Write down 0 as next digit of the result. 
Result so far: 139360.0
Subtracting 0 from 1 leaves us with 1.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 10, and continue the process.

Going ahead to step 7:
2 goes into 10 5 times with a remainder of 0.
The number 5 becomes the next digit in our result. 
Result so far: 139360.5
The remainder is 0 after subtracting 10 from 10.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

On to step 8:
2 goes into 0 0 times with a remainder of 0.
Record the quotient 0 as the next digit in the result. 
Result so far: 139360.5
If we subtract 0 from 0, we get 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

Moving on to step 9:
2 can be fit into 0 0 times, resulting in a remainder of 0.
Use 0 as the next digit of our solution. 
Result so far: 139360.5
If we take 0 away from 0, we end up with 0.
Since there are no more digits in the dividend, we add a zero to the remainder making it 0, and continue the process.

In conclusion, the division gives 139360.5 with a balance of 0.0.