Dividing Fractions By Whole Numbers

Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number.

To Divide a Fraction by a Whole Number:

  • Step 1. Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number
  • Step 2. Simplify the fraction (if needed)

Example:

12  ÷  3

Step 1. Multiply the bottom of the fraction by the whole number:

12 × 3

Which equals:

16

Step 2. Fraction is already as simple as possible, so no need for step 2.

Answer:

12  ÷  3  =  16

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):

Does it make sense?

Does  12  ÷  3 really equal  16  ?

Well look at the pizzas below ...

When half a pizza is divided into 3 equal parts, each person gets one sixth of a whole pizza.

  A Half:   Divide it by 3:  
  3/6     1/6 Answer:
16

Another example:

Example:

25  ÷  4

Step 1. Multiply the bottom of the fraction by the whole number:

25 × 4  =  220

Step 2. Simplify the fraction:

220  =  110

Done!

 

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