5981 ÷ 4 = 1495 R1
We're going to perform division on 5981 with 4 as the divisor.

Step 1:
4 goes into 5 1 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 1 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1
Subtract 4 from 5 to get 1.
Bring next digit (9) of the dividend behind the 1 and repeat the process: 19 / 4

Step 2:
4 goes into 19 4 times with a remainder of 3.
Write down 4 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 14
Subtract 16 from 19 to get 3.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 3 and repeat the process: 38 / 4

Step 3:
4 goes into 38 9 times with a remainder of 2.
Write down 9 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 149
Subtract 36 from 38 to get 2.
Bring next digit (1) of the dividend behind the 2 and repeat the process: 21 / 4

Step 4:
4 goes into 21 5 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 5 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1495
Subtract 20 from 21 to get 1.

The final result is 1495 with a remainder of 1.