Lesson 11Using an Algorithm to Divide Fractions
Learning Goal
Let’s divide fractions using the rule we learned.
Learning Targets
I can describe and apply a rule to divide numbers by any fraction.
Lesson Terms
- reciprocal
Warm Up: Multiplying Fractions
Problem 1
Evaluate each expression.
Activity 1: Dividing a Fraction by a Fraction
Problem 1
Work with a partner. One person works on the questions labeled “Partner A” and the other person works on those labeled “Partner B.”
Use the applet to confirm your answers and explore your own examples.
Partner A: Find the value of each expression by completing the diagram.
How many
s in ? How many
s in ? Partner B:
Elena said, “If I want to divide 4 by
, I can multiply 4 by 5 and then divide it by 2 or multiply it by .” Find the value of each expression using the strategy Elena described.
What do you notice about the diagrams and expressions? Discuss with your partner.
Complete this statement based on your observations:
To divide a number
by a fraction , we can multiply by and then divide the product by . Select all the equations that represent the sentence you completed.
Print Version
Work with a partner. One person works on the questions labeled “Partner A” and the other person works on those labeled “Partner B.”
Partner A: Find the value of each expression by completing the diagram.
How many
s in ? How many
s in ? Partner B:
Elena said, “If I want to divide 4 by
, I can multiply 4 by 5 and then divide it by 2 or multiply it by .” Find the value of each expression using the strategy Elena described.
What do you notice about the diagrams and expressions? Discuss with your partner.
Complete this statement based on your observations:
To divide a number
by a fraction , we can multiply by and then divide the product by . Select all the equations that represent the sentence you completed.
Activity 2: Using an Algorithm to Divide Fractions
Problem 1
Calculate each quotient. Show your thinking and be prepared to explain your reasoning.
Problem 2
After biking
Are you ready for more?
Problem 1
Suppose you have a pint of grape juice and a pint of milk. You pour 1 tablespoon of the grape juice into the milk and mix it up. Then you pour 1 tablespoon of this mixture back into the grape juice. Which liquid is more contaminated?
Lesson Summary
The division
If
The steps above can be written as:
In other words:
In general, dividing a number by a fraction