Dividing fractions · Grade 5
In Grade 5 you learn: dividing fractions by whole numbers.
Dividing by a fraction asks “how many of these fit?”. Dividing a fraction by a whole number shares it into equal parts. To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: keep, change, flip.
Key facts
- Dividing a fraction by a whole number shares it: 1/2 ÷ 3 = 1/6, the same as 1/2 × 1/3.
Worked examples
Example 1
Work out 1/2 ÷ 3.
Answer: 1/6
Example 2
Half a pizza is shared equally between 4 friends. What fraction of the whole pizza does each friend get?
Answer: 1/8
Example 3
How many 1/3s are there in 4?
Answer: 12