Dividing Fractions

Dividing fractions is actually quite easy once you fully understand what division is.  If your student has difficulty with this don't move on until they fully grasp the concept of division using whole numbers.  You can get a full explanation go to my division of whole numbers lesson.  

A Quick Review of Division

Division is taking one number and separating it into a number of groups of a specific quantity.

Example 1 - Ten divided by two

This question is asking you "how many groups of 2 can you make from a group of 10?

Take a look at the diagram to the left which illustrates this process.  We can create 5 groups of 2 from a group of 10. So 10 divided by 5 equals 2.

Example 2 - Ten divided by one half

This question is asking you "how many groups of 1/2 can you make from a group of 10?

Take a look at the diagram to the left which illustrates this process. We can create 20 groups of 1/2 from a group of 10.

So ten divided by one half equals twenty.

A Pattern Emerges.

If you repeat this process with a number of different examples, you will start to notice a pattern develop.

Can we see a pattern forming?  YES.

  • 10 Divided by 2 = 5
  • 10 Divided by 1/2 = 20
  • So when we DIVIDE by 2, we in fact multiply by 1/2
  • When we DIVIDE by 1/2, we in fact multiply by 2

Remember, practice makes perfect - print off some dividing fractions worksheets and get your kid to do a few each day. The skill will be perfected in no time!

Once your kid has mastered dividing fractions check out the next skill in fractions to be completed or explore all that printable math worksheets has to offer. 

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