Practice Set · Part 1
Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can divide a whole number by a fraction by multiplying by the reciprocal, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal (the fraction flipped over) — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.
Model to copy — Watch me
- Agent Park has 4 pounds of powder and each bag holds 1/2 pound. I want 4 ÷ 1/2.
- Keep the 4. Change ÷ to ×. Flip 1/2 to make 2/1, which is just 2.
- Now I multiply: 4 × 2 = 8.
- So 4 ÷ 1/2 = 8. He can fill 8 bags. That makes sense: each pound fills 2 bags, and 4 pounds × 2 = 8.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Let's try 3 ÷ 1/4 together. What do we keep? The 3. Change ÷ to ×, then flip 1/4 to 4/1, which is 4. Multiply: 3 × 4 = 12. So 3 ÷ 1/4 = 12. Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.Show your work - 2
Warm restartWhich property is shown? 7 × 5 = 5 × 7
- ACommutative Property
- BAssociative Property
- CIdentity Property
- DDistributive Property
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartWhich property is shown? (2 + 9) + 1 = 2 + (9 + 1)
- AAssociative Property
- BCommutative Property
- CIdentity Property
- DDistributive Property
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartWhich grouping makes 4 × 25 × 7 easiest to multiply mentally?
- A(4 × 25) × 7
- B(25 × 7) × 4
- C4 × (25 + 7)
- D(4 + 25) × 7
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it through10 ÷ 1/4 = ?
- A2.5
- B14
- C40
- D4
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughWhat is the reciprocal of 1/4?
- A4
- B1/4
- C−1/4
- D1/2
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughA student answered 2.5. What did they do wrong?
- AThey divided by 4 instead of by 1/4
- BThey multiplied by 4
- CThey added 1/4
- DThey used the wrong rope length
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelWhy does 3 ÷ 1/4 = 12? How does the number line show this?
Practice Set · Part 3
Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- Multiply the whole number by the ___ of the fraction.
- A counting number like 0, 1, 2, or 3 with no fraction or decimal part is a ___.
- A number that shows part of a whole, like 3/4, is a ___.
- The fraction you get by flipping a fraction upside down is its ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: A common mistake in Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions is doing 'Keep, Change' but skipping the 'Flip' — students multiply by the divisor as it is instead of by its reciprocal. - 10
Say moreHow does 'Keep, Change, Flip' turn 6 ÷ 1/3 into a multiplication problem?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: A STEM summer camp has a 3-hour afternoon session. Campers choose from afternoon activities that are each 45 minutes long.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 6.8. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
- 12
Show what you knowExplain your thinking — What is 9 ÷ 1/3?
- A27
- B3
- C9/3
- D1/27
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 6.8Explain your thinking — Which property is shown? (8 + 5) + 2 = 8 + (5 + 2)
- AAssociative Property
- BCommutative Property
- CIdentity Property
- DDistributive Property
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 6.8What is 4 × 17 × 25?
- A1,700
- B170
- C425
- D1,000
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can divide a whole number by a fraction by multiplying by the reciprocal, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal (the fraction flipped over)… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time