Dividing Fractions
Dividing Fractions: click here
Step 1. Turn the second fraction (the one you want to divide by) upside-down
(this is now a reciprocal).
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal
Step 3. Simplify the fraction (if needed)
1/2 ÷ 1/6
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside-down (it becomes a reciprocal):1/6 becomes 6/1
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal: 1/2 x 6/1 Why Turn the Fraction Upside Down?
Well ... what Does a Fraction Do?
A fraction says to:
multiply by the top number
divide by the bottom number
But when you DIVIDE by a fraction, you are asked to do the opposite of multiply ...
So you:
divide by the top number
multiply by the bottom number So instead of dividing by a fraction, it is easier to turn that fraction upside down, then do a multiply.
(this is now a reciprocal).
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal
Step 3. Simplify the fraction (if needed)
1/2 ÷ 1/6
Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside-down (it becomes a reciprocal):1/6 becomes 6/1
Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal: 1/2 x 6/1 Why Turn the Fraction Upside Down?
Well ... what Does a Fraction Do?
A fraction says to:
multiply by the top number
divide by the bottom number
But when you DIVIDE by a fraction, you are asked to do the opposite of multiply ...
So you:
divide by the top number
multiply by the bottom number So instead of dividing by a fraction, it is easier to turn that fraction upside down, then do a multiply.