Fractions as Division
Aligned to 5.NF.B.3 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
A fraction is really a division problem: the top number divided by the bottom number. So a/b means a ÷ b. This helps you share things fairly, even when the answer is not a whole number.
Worked examples
Example 1
Share 7 brownies equally among 4 friends. That is 7 ÷ 4, which is the same as the fraction 7/4. As a mixed number, 7/4 = 1 3/4, so each friend gets 1 whole brownie and 3/4 of another.
Example 2
Share 3 pizzas among 8 people: 3 ÷ 8 = 3/8 of a pizza each.
Example 3
Read the fraction bar as 'divided by'. 12/4 is just 12 ÷ 4 = 3, which is why some fractions are whole numbers in disguise.
Practice questions
- Write 3 ÷ 5 as a fraction.
- Share 5 sandwiches equally among 2 people. How much does each get?
- Nine crackers are split evenly among 4 kids. Write it as a fraction and as a mixed number.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Fracciones como división
Una fracción en realidad es una división: el número de arriba dividido entre el de abajo. Así, a/b significa a ÷ b. Esto te ayuda a repartir cosas de forma justa, aunque la respuesta no sea un número entero.
Ejemplo 1: Reparte 7 brownies en partes iguales entre 4 amigos. Eso es 7 ÷ 4, que es lo mismo que la fracción 7/4. Como número mixto, 7/4 = 1 3/4, así que cada amigo recibe 1 brownie entero y 3/4 de otro.
Ejemplo 2: Reparte 3 pizzas entre 8 personas: 3 ÷ 8 = 3/8 de pizza para cada quien.
Ejemplo 3: Lee la barra de fracción como 'dividido entre'. 12/4 es simplemente 12 ÷ 4 = 3, por eso algunas fracciones son enteros disfrazados.
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