6th grade · Math · Unit 13 of 17
Dividing Fractions
How many fit?
What your child practices
Dividing a fraction by a fraction by multiplying by the reciprocal, and solving “how many servings” and “how many pieces” problems.
Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 6.NS.A.1 · interpreting and computing quotients of fractions and solving problems with fraction division
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal (flip it).
- Keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, flip the second.
- Simplify the answer.
Example: What is 3/4 ÷ 1/8? 3/4 × 8/1 = 24/4. 24/4 = 6. Answer: 6
Dividing Fractions in Arizona
In the Arizona Academic Standards, this is unit 13 of 17 in 6th grade Math, after Powers and Common Factors and before Center & Spread.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Arizona Department of Education
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which multiplication has the same answer as 2/4 ÷ 8/9?
- 4/2 × 9/8
- 2/4 × 9/8
- 4/2 × 8/9
- 2/4 × 8/9
2/4 × 9/8
Hint: Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal (flip the second fraction).
Question 2
What is 3/5 ÷ 2/3?
3/5 ÷ (2/3) = ?
- 9/10
- 1
- 10/9
- 2/5
9/10
Hint: Multiply by the reciprocal: 3/5 × 3/2.
Question 3
A trail is 3/4 mile long. Signs are placed every 1/8 mile. How many sections does that make?
- 12
- 6
- 5
- 7
6
Hint: 3/4 ÷ 1/8 = 3/4 × 8/1.
Question 4
How many 1/3-cup servings are in 3 cups of trail mix?
- 12
- 6
- 10
- 3
- 9
9
Hint: 3 ÷ 1/3 = 3 × 3/1.
Question 5
Which multiplication has the same answer as 3/7 ÷ 4/8?
- 3/7 × 8/4
- 7/3 × 4/8
- 7/3 × 8/4
- 3/7 × 4/8
3/7 × 8/4
Hint: Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal (flip the second fraction).
Question 6
How many 1/2-cup servings are in 1 cups of trail mix?
- 1
- 3
- 2
- 4
- 5
2
Hint: 1 ÷ 1/2 = 1 × 2/1.