Today is rung 5 of 8 on this topic
Dividing fractions by fractions
Can do: Divides fraction by fraction and can explain what the answer means, not just apply the rule.
Why it matters
The flip-and-multiply rule is easy to memorise and impossible to remember correctly if it never meant anything.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Flips the wrong fraction, or flips both, and has no way to tell that the answer is nonsense.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"3/4 ÷ 1/8?" Then: "What question does that answer, in words?"
Solid looks like: 6, and something like "how many eighths fit into three quarters".
The full activity for this topic · 20 minutes
How Many Fit Inside?
- 1Ask the question in words first: how many 1/8s fit inside 3/4?
- 2Draw it and count. Six. No rule needed.
- 3Do three more this way until the answers feel predictable.
- 4Only then introduce flip-and-multiply, and check it against the drawings.
- 5Estimate first every time: dividing by something less than one makes the answer bigger.
If it's too hard
Whole number divided by a unit fraction, drawn.
If it's too easy
Mixed numbers, and a word problem where the answer must be interpreted in context.
Say this
"Ask it in words: how many of these fit inside that? Now does your answer make sense?"