Year 8 · Maths · Multiplying and dividing fractions · Lesson 2
Dividing fractions
Learn what dividing by a fraction means and use keep, change, flip to divide fractions by fractions and whole numbers, then solve 'how many fit' and sharing problems.
41-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Understand what dividing by a fraction means
- Find the reciprocal of a fraction or whole number
- Divide fractions using keep, change, flip
- Divide with whole numbers and fractions
- Solve problems that need fraction division
The method
- Write any whole number as a fraction over 1.
- Keep the first fraction.
- Change ÷ into × and flip the second fraction.
- Multiply, then simplify.
Key words: divide, reciprocal, keep change flip, fraction, simplify.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
Work out 1/2 ÷ 1/4.
- Step 1: 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1
- Step 2: Tops: 1 × 4 = 4 Bottoms: 2 × 1 = 2
- Step 3: 4/2 = 2 (÷ 2)
Answer: 2
Question 2
Work out 2/3 ÷ 1/3.
- Step 1: 2/3 ÷ 1/3 = 2/3 × 3/1
- Step 2: Tops: 2 × 3 = 6 Bottoms: 3 × 1 = 3
- Step 3: 6/3 = 2 (÷ 3)
Answer: 2
Question 3
Work out 3/5 ÷ 1/2.
- Step 1: 3/5 ÷ 1/2 = 3/5 × 2/1
- Step 2: Tops: 3 × 2 = 6 Bottoms: 5 × 1 = 5
- Step 3: Can 6/5 simplify? No.
Answer: 6/5