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 enVision Mathematics lesson from Chapter 9, students learn how to divide a whole number by a unit fraction by connecting division to its inverse operation, multiplication. Using models such as fraction strips and bar diagrams, students discover that dividing by a fraction like one-eighth is equivalent to multiplying by its denominator, and they practice checking quotients with multiplication equations. The lesson builds conceptual understanding of the inverse relationship between multiplication and division as it applies to fraction computation.
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: