Demystify dividing whole numbers by fractions with our latest blog post, the ninth article in our comprehensive eleven-part series!
Each article in this series follows a cyclical learning approach, providing complete lessons on fractions and guiding your child step-by-step through the learning process. This post includes five video tutorials to enhance your child’s understanding.
Dividing a whole number by a fraction can be confusing. Why does dividing 6 by ¾ result in an answer larger than 6? Shouldn’t division make numbers smaller? The key to understanding this lies in illustrating mathematical models. When children visualize the division process, they can clearly see why 6 ÷ ¾ results in a number greater than 6. Without these visual aids, many children struggle to grasp the concept, leading to confusion and frustration in higher levels of math.
In our blog post, your child will:
- Learn to Illustrate Division: Visual models help clarify why dividing whole numbers by fractions often results in larger numbers.
- Build a Strong Foundation: Step-by-step lessons ensure your child thoroughly understands each concept.
- Achieve Long-term Success: A solid grasp of fractions is crucial for future mathematical success.
Visit our website (https://www.teachersdungeon.com/) for a comprehensive educational program designed to help kids become proficient in mathematics. By mastering these concepts, your child will gain a deeper, more concrete understanding of dividing whole numbers by fractions, paving the way for a successful educational journey. Don’t miss out on this valuable resource—empower your child’s learning today!
Articles within this series on Fractions:
- How to do fractions, Free Online Tutoring in Math for Understanding Fractions
- How to Add Fractions (like 4/7 + 3/7 )
- How to Subtract Fractions (like 8/9 – 4/9 )
- How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 + 3/4 )
- How to Subtract Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 – 1/4)
- How to Add Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 2 & 3/4 + 3 & 5/6 )
- How to Subtract Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 3 & 3/4 – 2 & 5/6)
- How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 5 )
- How to Divide Fractions (like 6 ÷ ¾ )
- How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 1/4)
- How to Divide Fractions (like ½ ÷ ¼)
Solving problems that deal with fractions is simple when you develop a concrete understanding. I have had incredible results with with the students in my class! The strategies taught within this article work with children who have ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. Virtually every one of my students who has learned the strategies within this HOW TO DO FRACTIONS article has passed the standards based assessment for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.
I have scaffold the problems in each lesson.
The first problem in this article is a “Watch Me” problem. The second is a “Work with Me” problem. All the rest are “On Your Own” problems.
*If your child needs a bit more support, they should complete the “On Your Own” problems as a “Work with Me” problem. I have a number of students with gaps in their learning and others with a variety of learning disabilities. I have had incredible success, by having those students complete 5 to 7 problems within each lesson as a “Work with Me” problem. They play a bit of the video, then pause it and copy, then watch a bit more, pause it and copy. My students Play – Pause – and Copy until the entire problem is solved. This is like having a personal tutor working through each and every problem with your child. Every one of my students who has used this strategy has passed the Common Core Proficiency Exam.
How to Divide Fractions
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 1
Watch Me
Lazy Lion Pride
Meet the laziest pride of lions in the entire continent of Africa. This pride of cats has found 6 trees that overlap with thick branches intertwining from one tree to the next. The Lazy Lions divide each tree into 3/4 parts. Each lion gets 3/4 of a tree for napping.
How many of these Lazy Lions are sleeping in the trees?
* Hint: How many 3/4’s are in 6?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Press PLAY and Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes!
How to Divide Fractions
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 2
Work With Me
Mathematical Meerkats
These Meerkats are confused. They just found three tasty scorpions, which they love to eat. Now, they are leaning back and trying to do the math. Each meerkat wants to eat 2/3 of a scorpion, because that is the perfect sized meal for a growing meerkat.
Is there enough scorpions for each of these four meerkats to have 2/3’s of a scorpion?
*How many 2/3’s are in 3?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Gather your materials and press PLAY. We’ll solve this problem together, while you watch the math tutorial video below.
Do your children get frustrated when they make a mistake?
We all make mistakes. As a matter of fact, making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process. This is why at the end of each of the following “On Your Own” challenges I encourage children to fix their mistakes. Finding and fixing your own mistake is the fastest way to learn.
How to Divide Fractions
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 3
On Your Own
Wet Willy
Wet Willy is an adorable pup who went for a swim in his owner’s pool. He jumped out, ran into the living room, and shook himself dry. Water flew all over the place. It splashed onto 3 paintings, one of which was an irreplaceable painting of President Washington. Wet Willy knew that he did something wrong. He started licking all the water off the paintings, but he can only lick 3/5 of a painting at a time.
How many 3/5 portions of the paintings will Wet Willy have to lick before he’s done?
*Hint: How many 3/5’s are in 3?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
How to Divide Fractions
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 4
On Your Own
Jeremiah the Bark Licking Giraffe
Jeremiah Giraffe has a passion for tree bark. It is his favorite meal. He wraps his tongue around a branch then pulls the bark off and into his mouth. Yesterday, Jeremiah ate bark off 2 branches. He eats 5/6 of a branch for each meal.
How many 5/6 meals of bark did Jeremiah have yesterday?
*Hint: How many 5/6’s are in 2?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
How to Divide Fractions
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 5
On Your Own
Montana the lily Loving Moose
Montana Moose is always on the hunt for tasty water lilies to eat. Today he is traveling to his favorite spot, where the water lilies grow big and tasty. Montana Moose will travel 5 miles to get to the water lilies. However, Montana Moose is easily distracted. He trots for 4/7 of a mile and then notices a bird, or a frog, of a fox scampering across the prairie. Montana Moose stops and watches the animals.
If Montana Moose breaks the trip into 4/7 mile sections, how many sections will he have to travel before he reaches his beloved water?
*Hint: How many 3/7’s are in 5?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Want More Tutorials?
Discover the transformative power of learning with TeachersDungeon today. Dive into a world where education meets adventure, empowering students from grades 3 to 6 with personalized math instruction that adapts to their needs. Whether you’re an educator looking to enrich classroom learning or a parent seeking to support your child’s academic journey, The Teacher’s Dungeon offers interactive gameplay, instant help with video tutorials, and comprehensive progress tracking through its Stats Page. Visit The Teacher’s Dungeon’s website now to explore how our innovative approach can elevate your child’s math education. Embark on this exciting educational journey with us and watch your students thrive!