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6th grade · Math · Unit 14 of 21

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.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: NY-6.NS.1 · dividing fractions by fractions and solving word problems with fraction division

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 New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 14 of 21 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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

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

    Which multiplication has the same answer as 1/2 ÷ 4/7?

    • 2/1 × 7/4
    • 1/2 × 7/4
    • 1/2 × 4/7
    • 2/1 × 4/7

  2. Question 2

    How many 1/3-cup servings are in 1 cups of trail mix?

    • 4
    • 1
    • 5
    • 2
    • 3

  3. Question 3

    What is 2/5 ÷ 1/2?

    2/5 ÷ (1/2) = ?

    • 1
    • 4/5
    • 1/5
    • 5/4

  4. Question 4

    A trail is 1/2 mile long. Signs are placed every 1/6 mile. How many sections does that make?

    • 3
    • 6
    • 2
    • 4

  5. Question 5

    How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of trail mix?

    • 9
    • 5
    • 7
    • 6
    • 2

  6. Question 6

    What is 1/2 ÷ 1/5?

    1/2 ÷ (1/5) = ?

    • 1/10
    • 5/2
    • 2/5
    • 3

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