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Divide with unit fractions: 5th grade math

Divide unit fraction ÷ whole number and whole number ÷ unit fraction. A free 5th grade lesson plan, a question set with answers and a printable sheet with its key. Copy it and make it yours.

Lesson plan

Goal

  • Students can do this: divide unit fraction ÷ whole number and whole number ÷ unit fraction.

Teach (10 min)

  • 4 ÷ 1/3 is how many thirds are in 4: 12.
  • 1/3 ÷ 4 cuts each third into 4 pieces: 1/12.
  • Work one example on the board while students say each step aloud, then do one together.

Practise (15 min)

  • Students work the printable sheet in pairs, then alone.
  • Or practise it as a game with no sign-up: https://peabody.kids/math/numsense.g5_fracDiv?lesson=5-numsense-fracdiv-1&at=5

Exit ticket (5 min)

  • Three questions on a slip:
  • 1. 1/6 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/6 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  • 2. 3 ÷ 1/2 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/2 are in 3 wholes?)
  • 3. 1/4 ÷ 5 = ? (Share 1/4 equally into 5 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)

Question set

10 questions that read in words, easiest first. Questions that need a picture are on the printable sheet below.

  1. 1/6 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/6 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  2. 3 ÷ 1/2 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/2 are in 3 wholes?)
  3. 1/4 ÷ 5 = ? (Share 1/4 equally into 5 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  4. 1/2 ÷ 2 = ? (Share 1/2 equally into 2 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  5. 1/6 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/6 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  6. 2 ÷ 1/3 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/3 are in 2 wholes?)
  7. 4 ÷ 1/6 = ? (How many pieces of size 1/6 are in 4 wholes?)
  8. 1/3 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/3 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
  9. There are 4 feet of ribbon. How many pieces that are 1/4 foot long can be made or filled from them?
  10. 1/6 ÷ 4 = ? (Share 1/6 equally into 4 parts.) (Any fraction with the right value counts.)
Answers
  1. 1/24
  2. 6
  3. 1/20
  4. 1/4
  5. 1/24
  6. 6
  7. 24
  8. 1/12
  9. 16
  10. 1/24

Printable sheet

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

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?
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

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