6.NOS.1 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 1

Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions

Pick up where we left off

Name: Date: Group:

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

  1. Agent Park has 4 pounds of powder and each bag holds 1/2 pound. I want 4 ÷ 1/2.
  2. Keep the 4. Change ÷ to ×. Flip 1/2 to make 2/1, which is just 2.
  3. Now I multiply: 4 × 2 = 8.
  4. 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. 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. 2

    Warm restartWhich property is shown? 7 × 5 = 5 × 7

    1. ACommutative Property
    2. BAssociative Property
    3. CIdentity Property
    4. DDistributive Property

    How do you know?

  3. 3

    Warm restartWhich property is shown? (2 + 9) + 1 = 2 + (9 + 1)

    1. AAssociative Property
    2. BCommutative Property
    3. CIdentity Property
    4. DDistributive Property

    How do you know?

  4. 4

    Warm restartWhich grouping makes 4 × 25 × 7 easiest to multiply mentally?

    1. A(4 × 25) × 7
    2. B(25 × 7) × 4
    3. C4 × (25 + 7)
    4. D(4 + 25) × 7

    How do you know?

6.9 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 1 of 4
6.NOS.1 Group 2 · Challenge

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.

  1. 5

    Think it through10 ÷ 1/4 = ?

    1. A2.5
    2. B14
    3. C40
    4. D4

    Why is that the answer?

  2. 6

    Think it throughWhat is the reciprocal of 1/4?

    1. A4
    2. B1/4
    3. C−1/4
    4. D1/2

    How do you know? Give a second reason as well.

  3. 7

    Think it throughA student answered 2.5. What did they do wrong?

    1. AThey divided by 4 instead of by 1/4
    2. BThey multiplied by 4
    3. CThey added 1/4
    4. DThey used the wrong rope length

    Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?

  4. 8

    Back to the modelWhy does 3 ÷ 1/4 = 12? How does the number line show this?

6.9 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 2 of 4
6.NOS.1 Group 2 · Challenge

Practice Set · Part 3

Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions

Words and reasoning

Word bank · Banco de palabras

Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions (Dividir números enteros entre fracciones)Whole Number (Número entero)Fraction (Fracción)Reciprocal (Recíproco)Keep, Change, Flip (Mantener, cambiar, invertir)Quotient (Cociente)

Use the words

Fill each blank with a word from the bank.

Explain the thinking

  1. 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.
  2. 10

    Say moreHow does 'Keep, Change, Flip' turn 6 ÷ 1/3 into a multiplication problem?

  3. 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
6.9 Small Group · Group 2 · Practice SetPart 3 of 4
6.NOS.1 Group 2 · Challenge

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.

  1. 12

    Show what you knowExplain your thinking — What is 9 ÷ 1/3?

    1. A27
    2. B3
    3. C9/3
    4. D1/27

    Explain your choice.

  2. 13

    From Lesson 6.8Explain your thinking — Which property is shown? (8 + 5) + 2 = 8 + (5 + 2)

    1. AAssociative Property
    2. BCommutative Property
    3. CIdentity Property
    4. DDistributive Property

    How do you know?

  3. 14

    From Lesson 6.8What is 4 × 17 × 25?

    1. A1,700
    2. B170
    3. C425
    4. D1,000

    How do you know?

Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next

I can…Not yetGetting thereGot 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