Dividing Fractions and Whole Numbers

Front

What is a fraction?

Back

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number). For example, in the fraction \(\frac{1}{2}\), 1 is the part and 2 is the whole.

Front

How do you divide a whole number by a fraction?

Back

To divide a whole number by a fraction, multiply the whole number by the reciprocal of the fraction. For example, to divide 3 by \(\frac{1}{2}\), calculate \(3 \times \frac{2}{1} = 6\).

Front

What is the reciprocal of a fraction?

Back

The reciprocal of a fraction is obtained by flipping the numerator and denominator. For example, the reciprocal of \(\frac{3}{4}\) is \(\frac{4}{3}\).

Front

How do you multiply fractions?

Back

To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. For example, \(\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{1 \times 3}{2 \times 4} = \frac{3}{8}\).

Front

What does it mean to share equally?

Back

Sharing equally means dividing something into equal parts so that each person gets the same amount. For example, if 4 children share \(\frac{1}{2}\) of a pizza, each child gets \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the pizza.

Front

How do you convert a whole number into a fraction?

Back

To convert a whole number into a fraction, place it over 1. For example, the whole number 5 can be written as \(\frac{5}{1}\).

Front

What is the process of dividing fractions?

Back

To divide fractions, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction. For example, \(\frac{1}{2} \div \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{1} = \frac{3}{2}\).

Front

What is a mixed number?

Back

A mixed number is a whole number combined with a fraction. For example, \(2\frac{1}{2}\) is a mixed number, which means 2 whole parts and \(\frac{1}{2}\) of another part.

Front

How do you convert an improper fraction to a mixed number?

Back

To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number, divide the numerator by the denominator. The quotient is the whole number, and the remainder becomes the numerator of the fraction. For example, \(\frac{7}{4} = 1\frac{3}{4}\).

Front

What is the importance of the denominator in a fraction?

Back

The denominator indicates how many equal parts the whole is divided into. For example, in \(\frac{3}{5}\), the denominator 5 means the whole is divided into 5 equal parts.