Divide fractions by integers
To divide fractions by a whole number, we divide the numerator by the whole number and the denominator stays the same.
Example 1
This jug of juice is \( \frac{4}{5}\) full and we need to share it out between two cups.
How much will be in each cup?
The calculation is \( \frac{4}{5}\) 梅 2.
We know that 4 梅 2 = 2 so we can use that knowledge here.
You can visualise what \( \frac{4}{5}\) looks like with these bar models and how that is split between two.
To work this out without using images we divide the numerator by the whole number and keep the denominator the same.
\( \frac{4}{5}\) 梅 2 = \( \frac{2}{5}\) .
Example 2
There is \( \frac{9}{10}\) of a pizza left and we need to share it equally between 3 people.
As a fraction, how much pizza will each person receive?
As a calculation this is \( \frac{9}{10}\) 梅 3
Let's take a look at this problem visually.
We started with \( \frac{9}{10}\) and then shared out the \( \frac{9}{10}\) to 3 people.
9 梅 3 = 3 so each person gets \( \frac{3}{10}\)
Another way to work this out without using a diagram is to divide the numerator by the whole number and keep the denominator the same.
\( \frac{9}{10}\) 梅 3 = \( \frac{3}{10}\) .
Activity
Quiz
Take this quiz and see if you can divide fractions by a whole number
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