Student Help Card
Lesson 2: Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions6.NOS.1
Stuck? Start here. Read the steps, try the problem, then check your answer.
I can…
I can divide a whole number by a fraction by multiplying by the reciprocal.
Key words
- Whole Number — A counting number with no fraction or decimal, like 0, 1, 2, 3.
- Fraction — A number that shows part of a whole, like 3/4.
- Reciprocal — A fraction turned upside down.
- Keep, Change, Flip — A way to divide fractions: keep the first, change ÷ to ×, flip the second.
- Quotient — The answer when you divide.
Steps
- 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.
Check your answer
27
9 ÷ 1/3 = 9 × 3/1 = 27. There are 27 thirds in 9 wholes.
Sentence starter
I know ___ because ___.
Goal: I can explain my steps using the words fraction, reciprocal, quotient, and Keep, Change, Flip.