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🍕 5th grade math · Fractions & Decimals

Divide with unit fractions

4 ÷ 1/3 is how many thirds are in 4: 12. 1/3 ÷ 4 cuts each third into 4 pieces: 1/12.

Worked example

1/3 ÷ 3 = ? (Share 1/3 equally into 3 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
Answer: 1/9
Cut each of the 3 pieces into 3 smaller pieces. Now a whole has 3 × 3 = 9 pieces, and each is 1/9. So 1/3 ÷ 3 = 1/9. Answer: 1/9.

For grown-ups: Divide unit fraction ÷ whole number and whole number ÷ unit fraction. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 5.NF.B.7
What this practises, for teachers

Practices divide unit fraction ÷ whole number and whole number ÷ unit fraction (5.NF.B.7). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

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For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

On the board with this skill:

More printables, with answer keys, for this grade:

Try three

  1. 1/6 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/6 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 1/24
    Cut each of the 6 pieces into 4 smaller pieces. Now a whole has 6 × 4 = 24 pieces, and each is 1/24. So 1/6 ÷ 4 = 1/24. Answer: 1/24.
  2. 1/2 ÷ 5 = ? (Share 1/2 equally into 5 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 1/10
    Cut each of the 2 pieces into 5 smaller pieces. Now a whole has 2 × 5 = 10 pieces, and each is 1/10. So 1/2 ÷ 5 = 1/10. Answer: 1/10.
  3. There are 8 cups of rice. How many scoops that hold 1/7 cup can be made or filled from them?
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 56
    8 ÷ 1/7 = 8 × 7 = 56 scoops. Answer: 56.

Before and after

Learn first: Times makes it smaller? (5th)

Comes next: Divide fractions (6th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Divide with unit fractions (5th grade)

  1. 3 ÷ 1/3 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/3 are in 3 wholes?)
  2. 1/5 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/5 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  3. 5 ÷ 1/2 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/2 are in 5 wholes?)
  4. 3 ÷ 1/3 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/3 are in 3 wholes?)
  5. 4 ÷ 1/3 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/3 are in 4 wholes?)
  6. 4 ÷ 1/5 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/5 are in 4 wholes?)
  7. 1/8 ÷ 3 = ? (Share 1/8 equally into 3 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  8. There are 4 cups of rice. How many scoops that hold 1/6 cup can be made or filled from them?
  9. 2 ÷ 1/10 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/10 are in 2 wholes?)
  10. There are 3 cups of rice. How many scoops that hold 1/8 cup can be made or filled from them?
  11. 1/7 ÷ 3 = ? (Share 1/7 equally into 3 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  12. There are 2 cups of rice. How many scoops that hold 1/6 cup can be made or filled from them?

Answer key

  1. 9
  2. 1/20
  3. 10
  4. 9
  5. 12
  6. 20
  7. 1/24
  8. 24
  9. 20
  10. 24
  11. 1/21
  12. 12

More 5th grade skills: all 5th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.