Dividing whole numbers by unit fractions introduction

The  exercise appears under the 5th grade (U.S.) Math Mission. This exercise provides pictures to help understand the concept of dividing a whole number by a fraction.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Perform the requested division problem: This problem provides a division problem with a whole number divided by a fraction, as well as a picture that represents the situation. The student is expected to find the answer to the division problem and write it in the space provided.Dwnbufi1.png

Strategies
Knowledge of division and comfort with fractions are encouraged to ensure success on this exercise.
 * 1) Dividing by a fraction is equivalent to multiplying by a reciprocal, so as unit fractions these problems can be viewed as single digit multiplication.
 * 2) In particular, 1/x divided by y, is 1/xy.
 * 3) The problems in this exercise effectively ask for the denominator ("how many times") so the answer that needs to be entered is always just the product of the two number visible (ignoring the one in the numerator of the unit fraction).

Real-life Applications

 * 1) The ability to visualize both division and fractions geometrically can enhance understanding in both concepts, and they are both ubiquitous in mathematics.