Division of Fractions
Grade 5 Mathematics
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll master dividing fractions using the powerful "Keep, Change, Flip" method!
1. What is Dividing Fractions?
Dividing fractions answers the question: "How many times does one fraction fit into another?"
Think About It!
½ ÷ ¼ = ?
This asks: "How many quarters fit in a half?"
Answer: 2 quarters fit in a half!
- Finding how many times one fraction fits into another
- Splitting a fraction into equal parts
- The inverse (opposite) operation of multiplication
Interactive visualization — available in the full lesson
Visual: Two quarters (red) fit exactly into one half (blue)
2. Three Types of Fraction Division
Type 1
Fraction ÷ Whole Number
²⁄₃ ÷ 4
or
Whole Number ÷ Fraction
6 ÷ ²⁄₃
Type 2
Fraction ÷ Fraction
³⁄₄ ÷ ½
Most common type!
Type 3
Mixed Numbers
2½ ÷ 1¼
Convert first!
The Key Rule
All three types use the SAME method: Multiply by the Reciprocal