Dividing Fractions for Kids: How Many Fit? Keep, Change, Flip (Grade 6 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are dividing fractions. Dividing asks how many groups fit. For example, how many halves fit into three whole things? Let's find out together.

Picture three pizzas. Cut each one into halves. Each pizza gives two halves, so three pizzas give six halves. That means three divided by one half equals six.

To divide by a fraction, we use its reciprocal. You find the reciprocal by flipping the fraction upside down. The reciprocal of two thirds is three halves, and the reciprocal of one half is two.

Here is the rule. Keep the first fraction, change divide to multiply, and flip the second fraction. So three quarters divided by one half becomes three quarters times two over one.

Now multiply the tops and the bottoms. Three times two is six, and four times one is four. Six quarters simplifies to three halves, which is the same as one and one half.

We can check our answer by multiplying. One and one half is three halves. Three halves times one half equals three quarters. That is where we started, so the answer is correct.

Now it's your turn. What is two thirds divided by one sixth? Pause and try. Keep two thirds, change to multiply, and flip one sixth to six over one. Two thirds times six is twelve thirds, which equals four.

Great job! Remember, dividing asks how many fit. Keep the first fraction, change divide to multiply, flip the second fraction, then simplify. Practice dividing fractions in Middle School Math at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!