Fractions

Dividing fractions

Over the last few pages, you've learned how to multiply fractions. You might have guessed that you can divide fractions too. You divide fractions to see how many parts of something are in something else. For example, if you wanted to know how many fourths of an inch are in four inches, you could divide 4 by 1/4.

Let's try another example. Imagine a recipe calls for 3 cups of flour, but your measuring cup only holds 1/3, or one-third, of a cup. How many thirds of a cup should you add?

We'll need to find out how many thirds of a cup are in three cups. In other words, we'll need to divide three by one-third.

We'd write the problem like this:

3  /  1/3

Now it's your turn! Try setting up these division problems with fractions. Don't worry about solving them yet!

A recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup of water. You only have a 1/8 measuring cup.

If you have beads that are 3/4 of an inch wide, how many can fit on a string that's 5 inches long?