SME
Grade 5 Math · Problem type
Divide unit fractions by whole numbers
Use this for “1/4 of a cake, shared equally among 3 friends.”
Diagram
1/3 is 4 pieces of 1/12.
One person gets 1/12.
This is an example. Type your own values to start a new problem.
1
Denominator
÷
Shared among
=
1
New denominator
Formulas
1
3
÷
4
=
1
12
Denominator × number sharing = new denominator
Assumptions
•
Sharing one piece among more people makes smaller pieces.
•
Cut the piece into that many parts: the new denominator is the old denominator times the number sharing.
•
Denominators from 2 to 6, shared among 2 to 10.
Step-by-step
WE KNOW
Denominator: 3
Shared among: 4
FIND
new denominator
Step 1 · Find new denominator
1
3
÷
4
=
1
?
Denominator × number sharing = new denominator
Each of the denominator’s pieces is cut into that many parts: multiply.
New denominator = 3 × 4
New denominator = 12
Check
Put the numbers back in. Both sides should match.
3 × 4 = 12 ✓
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Divide whole numbers and unit fractions
Next lesson →
Interpret fractions as division
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