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6th grade · Math · Unit 14 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.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 6.3.5.8 · dividing fractions and mixed numbers

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal (flip it).
  2. Keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, flip the second.
  3. Simplify the answer.

Example: What is 3/4 ÷ 1/8? 3/4 × 8/1 = 24/4. 24/4 = 6. Answer: 6

Dividing Fractions in Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 14 of 17 in 6th grade Math, after Powers and Common Factors and before Four Quadrants.

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: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    What is 3/4 ÷ 5/9?

    3/4 ÷ (5/9) = ?

    • 5/12
    • 20/27
    • 27/20
    • 7/5

  2. Question 2

    Which multiplication has the same answer as 1/2 ÷ 2/4?

    • 1/2 × 2/4
    • 2/1 × 2/4
    • 1/2 × 4/2
    • 2/1 × 4/2

  3. Question 3

    A trail is 1/2 mile long. Signs are placed every 1/12 mile. How many sections does that make?

    • 12
    • 7
    • 5
    • 6

  4. Question 4

    How many 2/3-cup servings are in 4 cups of trail mix?

    • 7
    • 8
    • 6
    • 4
    • 5

  5. Question 5

    A trail is 3/4 mile long. Signs are placed every 1/12 mile. How many sections does that make?

    • 9
    • 18
    • 8
    • 10

  6. Question 6

    Which multiplication has the same answer as 7/8 ÷ 4/6?

    • 7/8 × 4/6
    • 8/7 × 6/4
    • 7/8 × 6/4
    • 8/7 × 4/6

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