I know for some of you, even thinking about teaching fractions can cause a headache. There are so many concepts and prerequisite skills students need in order to be successful. I share your pain, especially when it comes to adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.
Strangely, I’ve always enjoyed teaching dividing fractions, even though it’s considered a higher-level skill. I love the fact that even the students that struggle with other types of fraction calculations will say “is that IT?” after they’ve done the first few problems.
I’d love for you to feel the same about teaching dividing fractions to your 6th Grade class as I do, so I’m going to give you a quick rundown of how to introduce it and 3 different methods you can teach students to use. To top it all off, I’ve got a FREE Dividing Fractions Pixel Art Activity you can give to your students for them to practice.
What Prerequisite Skills do Students Need to Divide Fractions?
Before moving on to dividing fractions, students should be familiar with dividing whole numbers, multiplying fractions, simplifying fractions, and reciprocals.
How to Introduce Dividing Fractions
Start with asking students what division really means. Use some examples such as 10 ÷ 2 and ask them to explain to you what the calculation actually means. The answers we are looking for here are something along the lines of “how many 2s in 10” or “how many groups of 2 are in 10”.
Then, move onto looking at a fraction problem: 1/2 ÷ 1/4. Ask students “how many 1/4 are in 1/2?” Hopefully they arrive at the answer 2. Then pose to them 1/2 ÷ 2/5. This is where I would move onto a visual method.
How to Divide Fractions Visually Using Grid Paper
This strategy involves using grid paper to help students visualize how the division process works. For the problem 1/2 ÷ 2/5 I would ask them to draw a rectangle using the denominators as side lengths (you can do a bit of discussion about how this is a common denominator here). Then draw another of the same sized rectangle next to it.
Next, shade in 1/2 of the first grid and 2/5 of the second grid.
We want to know how many 2/5 (orange) fit into 1/2 (pink). There are 4 orange boxes shaded, so circle 4 pink boxes, which is 1 whole. Then we have 1 pink box left. 4 boxes is 1 whole, so we have 1/4 left over.
So, 1/2 ÷ 2/5 = 1 1/4
Click here for a more in-depth look at dividing fractions visually.
How to Divide Fractions Using the “Keep Change Flip” Method
This is probably the quickest and easiest method for students to use and remember. There are 4 steps to the method. Let’s use 1/2 ÷ 2/5 again.
- Rewrite the calculation (change any mixed numbers into improper fractions)
- KEEP the first fraction, CHANGE the sign (÷ to ×) and FLIP the second fraction
- Perform the new calculation
- Simplify if needed
If you want a more in-depth look at this “Keep Change Flip” method you can find the “Why” and some more examples here.
How to Divide Fractions Using the “Common Denominator” Method
This is something I have discovered recently and I LOVE it. Both fractions must have common denominators in order to do this.
- Rewrite the calculation (changing mixed numbers into improper fractions if needed)
- Rewrite the fractions with common denominators
- Write the first numerator as your new numerator
- Write the second numerator as your new denominator.
- Simplify and you have your answer!
Here is an example where the fractions do not start with common denominators:
If you want a more in-depth look at the “Common Denominator” method you can find the “Why” and some more examples here.
Free Consolidation Activity
To help your students consolidate their understanding of fraction division, try having them complete this FREE pixel art activity. Your students will LOVE trying to find our what the picture is and better yet, it’s no-prep and self-checking, so it will save you time too!
