Section 1
Whole Number ÷ Unit Fraction
Property
Dividing a whole number, , by a unit fraction, , is a way of asking: "How many groups of size are in ?"
This can be modeled visually to find the total number of fractional parts.
In this Grade 5 Eureka Math lesson from Chapter 25, students learn to divide a whole number by a unit fraction using tape diagrams and area models to build conceptual understanding. Through hands-on problems, such as determining how many one-third or one-fourth pound bags can be made from a whole number of pounds, students discover the relationship between division by a unit fraction and multiplication by its reciprocal. The lesson connects prior knowledge of fraction and decimal operations to this new division concept.
Section 1
Whole Number ÷ Unit Fraction
Dividing a whole number, , by a unit fraction, , is a way of asking: "How many groups of size are in ?"
This can be modeled visually to find the total number of fractional parts.
Section 2
Connecting Division by a Unit Fraction to Multiplication
We noticed in the previous visual models that dividing by a unit fraction () produces the same result as multiplying by the denominator ().
To solve , you can ask: " is of what number?". The shortcut is to multiply the whole number by the denominator:
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Whole Number ÷ Unit Fraction
Dividing a whole number, , by a unit fraction, , is a way of asking: "How many groups of size are in ?"
This can be modeled visually to find the total number of fractional parts.
Section 2
Connecting Division by a Unit Fraction to Multiplication
We noticed in the previous visual models that dividing by a unit fraction () produces the same result as multiplying by the denominator ().
To solve , you can ask: " is of what number?". The shortcut is to multiply the whole number by the denominator: