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Chapter 2 · Fractions · page 11 of 68

Dividing fractions

levelGrade 6
standard6.NS.A.1
practiceFraction operations

Dividing by a fraction asks how many pieces of that size fit. Dividing by one half asks how many halves fit, which is twice as many as wholes. So dividing by a fraction is multiplying by its flip.

How to use it

  1. Keep the first fraction.
  2. Flip the second one, top for bottom.
  3. Multiply straight across. Simplify.

Example

16÷13=16×31=36=12\frac{1}{6} \div \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{6} \times \frac{3}{1} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}
3÷12=3×2=63 \div \frac{1}{2} = 3 \times 2 = 6

Where it goes wrong

  • Flipping the first fraction instead of the second.
  • Flipping and then dividing instead of multiplying.

Related

Multiplying fractionsWhat a fraction is
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