50986 ÷ 3 = 16995 R1
We're going to perform division on 50986 with 3 as the divisor.

Step 1:
3 goes into 5 1 times with a remainder of 2.
Write down 1 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1
Subtract 3 from 5 to get 2.
Bring next digit (0) of the dividend behind the 2 and repeat the process: 20 / 3

Step 2:
3 goes into 20 6 times with a remainder of 2.
Write down 6 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 16
Subtract 18 from 20 to get 2.
Bring next digit (9) of the dividend behind the 2 and repeat the process: 29 / 3

Step 3:
3 goes into 29 9 times with a remainder of 2.
Write down 9 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 169
Subtract 27 from 29 to get 2.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 2 and repeat the process: 28 / 3

Step 4:
3 goes into 28 9 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 9 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 1699
Subtract 27 from 28 to get 1.
Bring next digit (6) of the dividend behind the 1 and repeat the process: 16 / 3

Step 5:
3 goes into 16 5 times with a remainder of 1.
Write down 5 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 16995
Subtract 15 from 16 to get 1.

The final result is 16995 with a remainder of 1.