Dividing Fractions

Turn the second fraction upside down, then just multiply.

There are 3 Simple Steps to Divide Fractions:

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)

Example 1
1 1
÷
2 6

Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside-down (it becomer

a reciprocal):

1 6
becomes
6 1

Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:

1 × 6 = 1×6 = 6
 2 1 2×1 2

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

6
= 3
2

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):

Does it make sense?

1 1
Does ÷ really equal 3 ?
2 6

You can change a question like "What is 20 divided by 5?" into "How
many 5s fit into 20?"

In the same way our fraction question can become:

1 1 1 1
÷ How many in ?
2 6 6 2
Now look at the pizzas below ... how many "1/6th slices" fit into a "1/2
slice"?

How many in ? Answer: 3

1 1
So now you can see that ÷ =3 really does makes sense!
2 6

Example 2
1 1
÷
8 4

Step 1. Turn the second fraction upside-down (the reciprocal):

1 4
becomes
4 1

Step 2. Multiply the first fraction by that reciprocal:

1 × 4 = 1×4 = 4
 8 1 8×1 8

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

4 1
=
8 2

And that is all you have to do.

But maybe you want to know why we do it this way ...

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

Example: 3/4 means to cut into 4 pieces, and then take 3 of those.
So you:
• divide by 4
• multiply by 3

Example: 3/4 of 20 is:

20 divided by 4, then times 3 = (20/4) × 3 = 5 × 3 = 15
Or you could multiply before dividing:
20 times 3, then divide by 4 = (20 × 3) / 4 = 60/4 = 15
 Either way gets the same result

Dividing

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
Example: dividing by 5/2 is the same as
multiplying by 2/5

Because:
Dividing by 5, then Multiplying by 2
is the same as
Multiplying by 2, then Dividing by 5

So instead of dividing by a fraction, it is easier to turn that fraction

upside down, then do a multiply.

Subtracting Fractions
You might like to read Adding Fractions first.
There are 3 simple steps to subtract fractions

• Step 1. Make sure the bottom numbers (the

denominators) are the same

• Step 2. Subtract the top numbers (the numerators). Put

the answer over the same denominator.

• Step 3. Simplify the fraction.

Example 1:
3 1
–
4 4

Step 1. The bottom numbers are already the same. Go straight to

step 2.

Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same
denominator:

3 1 3–1 2
= =
–
4 4 4 4

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

2 1
=
4 2

(If you are unsure of the last step see Equivalent Fractions.)
Example 2:
1 1
–
2 6

Step 1. The bottom numbers are different. See how the slices are
different sizes? We need to make them the same before we can
continue, because we can't subtract them like this:

1 1
/2 - /6 = ?

To make the bottom numbers the same, multiply the top and bottom
1
of the first fraction ( /2) by 3 like this:

×3

1 3
=
2 6
 ×3

And now our question looks like this:

3 1
/6 - /6

The bottom numbers (the denominators) are the same, so we can go

to step 2.

Step 2. Subtract the top numbers and put the answer over the same
denominator:

3 1 3–1 2
= =
–
6 6 6 6

In picture form it looks like this:

3 1 2
/6 - /6 = /6
Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

2 1
=
6 3

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):

Subtracting Mixed Fractions

I have a special page on Adding and Subtracting Mixed Fractions.

Making the Denominators the Same

In the previous example it was easy to make the denominators the

same, but it can be harder ... so you may need to use either the

• Least Common Denominator Method, or the

• Common Denominator Method

They both work, use whichever you prefer!

Multiplying Fractions
Multiply the tops, multiply the bottoms.

There are 3 simple steps to

multiply fractions

1. Multiply the top numbers (the numerators).

2. Multiply the bottom numbers (the denominators).

3. Simplify the fraction if needed.

Example 1
1 × 2
 2 5

Step 1. Multiply the top numbers:

1 2 1×2 2
× = =
2 5

Step 2. Multiply the bottom numbers:

1 2 1×2 2

× = =
1
2 5 2×5
0

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

2 1

=
1
5
0

(If you are unsure of the last step see Equivalent Fractions)

With Pen and Paper

And here is how to do it with a pen and paper (press the play button):
Example 2
1 9

×
1
3
6

Step 1. Multiply the top numbers:

1 9 1×9 9

× = =
1
3
6

Step 2. Multiply the bottom numbers:

1 × 9 = 1×9 = 9

3 1 3 × 16 48
 6

Step 3. Simplify the fraction:

9 3

=
4 1
8 6

Mixed Fractions

You can also read how to multiply mixed fractions

Multiplying Mixed Fractions

("Mixed Fractions" are also called "Mixed Numbers")

To multiply Mixed Fractions:

1. convert to Improper Fractions

2. Multiply the Fractions

3. convert the result back to Mixed Fractions

Example

What is 1 3/8 × 3 ?
Think of Pizzas.

1 3/8 is 1 pizza and 3 eighths of

another pizza.

First, convert the mixed fraction (1 3/8) to an an improper fraction

(11/8):

Cut the whole pizza into eighths

and how many eighths do you
have in total?

1 lot of 8, plus the 3 eighths =

8+3 = 11 eighths.

Now multiply that by 3:

1 3/8 × 3 = 11/8 × 3/1 = 33/8

You have 33 eighths.

And, lastly, convert to a mixed fraction (only because the original
fraction was in that form):

33 eighths is 4 whole pizzas

(4×8=32) and 1 eighth left
over.

And this is what it looks like in one line:

1 3/8 × 3 = 11/8 × 3/1 = 33/8 = 4 1/8

Another Example:

What is 1 1/2 x 2 1/5 ?

If you know how to go from Mixed Fraction to Improper Fractions and

back again it is easy ...

Step, by step it is:

Convert both to improper fractions

1 1/2 × 2 1/5 = 3/2 × 11/5

Multiply the fractions (multiply the top numbers, multiply bottom

numbers):

3
/2 × 11/5 = /(2 × 5) = 33/10
(3 × 11)

Convert to a mixed number

/10 = 3 3/10
33

If you are clever you can do it all in one line like this:
 1 1/2 × 2 1/5 = 3/2 × 11/5 = 33/10 = 3 3/10

One More Example:

What is 3 1/4 x 3 1/3 ?

Convert both to improper fractions

3 1/4 × 3 1/3 = 13/4 × 10/3

Multiply

/4 × 10/3 =
13 130
/12

Convert to a mixed number (and simplify):

130
/12 = 10 10/12 = 10 5/6

Once again, here it is in one line:

3 1/4 × 3 1/3 = 13/4 × 10/3 = 130

/12 = 10 10/12 = 10 5/6

This One Has Negatives

I was asked to solve this one:

-1 5/9 × -2 1/7 = ?

So, my first step was to convert Mixed to Improper Fractions:

 1 5/9 = 9/9 + 5/9 = 14/9
2 1/7 = 14/7 + 1/7 = 15/7

Then multiply the Improper Fractions (Note: negative times negative

gives positive) :

-14
/9 × /7 =
-15 -14×-15
/ 9×7 = 210
/63

I then decided to simplify next, first by 7 (because I noticed that 21

and 63 are both multiples of 7), then again by 3 (but I could have
done it in one step by dividing by 21):

210
/63 = 30/9 = 10/3

Finally convert to a Mixed Fraction (because that was the style of the
question):

10
/3 = (9+1)
/3 = 9/3 + 1/3 = 3 1/3

Equivalent Fractions
Equivalent Fractions have the same value, even though they may
look different.

These fractions are really the same:

1 2 4
= =
2 4 8
Why are they the same? Because when you multiply or
divide both the top and bottom by the same number, the fraction
keeps it's value.

The rule to remember is:

What you do to the top of the fraction

you must also do to the bottom of the fraction !

So, here is why those fractions are really the same:

×2 ×2

1 2 4
= =
2 4 8

×2 ×2
And visually it looks like this:

1 2 4
/2 /4 /8

= =
 See the Animation

See Fractions on the Number Line ... it shows you many

equivalent fractions

We also have a Chart of Fractions with many examples of

equivalent fractions.

Dividing

Here are some more equivalent fractions, this time by dividing:

÷3 ÷6

18 6 1
= =
36 12 2

÷3 ÷6

If we keep dividing until we can't go any further, then we

have simplified the fraction (made it as simple as possible).

Important:
 • The top and bottom of the fraction must always be
a whole number.

• So, what you divide by must divide evenly (ie no

remainders) for both the top and bottom numbers.

• You only multiply or divide, never add or subtract, to

get an equivalent fraction.

C
3
D
48
Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply:

4 and 12 have a common factor 4, so divide top and bottom by

4:
A
4
B

Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply:

21 divides exactly 4 times into 84

A
B

Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply:

10 and 45 have a common factor 5, so divide top and bottom by

5:

B
C

Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply:

36 and 40 have a common factor 4, so divide top and bottom by 4:

B
4
C

D
Turn the second fraction upside down and multiply:

Long Division
Below is the process written out in full. (It is what is called an "algorithmic process").
You will often see other versions. These are generally just a shortened version
of the process below.

Let's see how it is done with:

425 ÷ 25

There are two definitions we must make first.

• the number to be divided into is known as the dividend (425 from above)
• The number which divides the other number is known as the divisor (25 from
above)
Note: You can also see this done in Long Division Animation

The first number of the dividend is dividedby

4 ÷ 25 = 0 remainder 4
the divisor.

The whole number result is placed at the top. Any

remainders are ignored at this point.
 The answer from the first operation ismultiplied by
25 × 0 = 0 the divisor. The result is placed under the number
divided into.

Now we subtract the bottom number from the top

4–0=4
number.

Bring down the next number of the dividend.

42 ÷ 25 = 1 remainder 17 Divide this number by the divisor.

The whole number result is placed at the top. Any

remainders are ignored at this point.

The answer from the above operation

25 × 1 = 25 ismultiplied by the divisor. The result is placed
under the last number divided into.
 Now we subtract the bottom number from the top
42 – 25 = 17
number.

Bring down the next number of the dividend.

175 ÷ 25 = 7 remainder 0 Divide this number by the divisor.

The whole number result is placed at the top. Any

remainders are ignored at this point.
 The answer from the above operation
25 × 7 = 175 ismultiplied by the divisor. The result is placed
under the number divided into.

Now we subtract the bottom number from the top

175 – 175 = 0
number.

There are no more numbers to bring down. The

answer must be 17

Long Division to Decimal Places

When we are given a long division to do it will not always work out to
a whole number. Sometimes there will be numbers left over. We can
use the long division process to work out the answer to a number of
decimal places.

The secret to working out a long division to decimal places is the

ability to add zeros after the decimal point.

150 is the same as 150.00

We can add as many zeros as we wish after the decimal point without
altering the numbers value.

We will use the example below. It works out neatly to one decimal
place
 435 ÷ 25

If you feel happy with the process on the long division page you
can skip the first bit.

The first number of the dividend is

4 ÷ 25 = 0 remainder 4
divided by the divisor.

The whole number result is placed at the

top. Any remainders are ignored at this
point.

The answer from the first operation is

25 × 0 = 0 multiplied by the divisor. The result is
placed under the number divided into.

Now we take away the bottom number

4–0=4
from the top number.

Bring down the next number of the

dividend.

43 ÷ 25 = 1 remainder 18 Divide this number by the divisor.

 The whole number result is placed at the
top. Any remainders are ignored at this
point.

The answer from the above operation is

multiplied by the divisor. The result is
25 × 1 = 25
placed under the last number divided
into.

Now we take away the bottom number

43 – 25 = 18
from the top number.

Bring down the next number of the

dividend.

185 ÷ 25 = 7 remainder 10 Divide this number by the divisor.

 The whole number result is placed at the
top. Any remainders are ignored at this
point.

The answer from the above operation is

25 × 7 = 175 multiplied by the divisor. The result is
placed under the number divided into.

Now we take away the bottom number

185 – 175 = 10
from the top number.

Now we have reached the end of the

whole numbers we add a decimal place
and the first zero. Notice the decimal
point which has appeared on the answer
line and by the dividend. It does not
appear anywhere else.
 Bring down the next number of the
dividend.

100 ÷ 25 = 4 remainder 0 Divide this number by the divisor.

The whole number result is placed at the

top. Any remainders are ignored at this
point.

The answer from the above operation is

25 × 4 = 100 multiplied by the divisor. The result is
placed under the number divided into.
 Now we take away the bottom number
100 – 100 = 0
from the top number.

The subtraction has given zero. We stop

when this happens. The answer will
be17.4 As long as the subtraction gives
a number above zero the long division
can carry on to as many decimal places
as we wish.

Division

Definition:
Division is splitting into equal parts or groups.

It is the result of "fair sharing".

Example: there are 12 chocolates, and 3 friends want to share

them, how do they divide the chocolates?
 12 Chocolates 12 Chocolates Divided by 3

Answer: 12 divided by 3 is 4: they get 4 each.

Symbols

We use the ÷ symbol, or sometimes the / symbol to mean divide:

12 ÷ 3 = 4
÷/ 12 / 3 = 4

I will use both symbols here so you get used to it.

Opposite of Multiplying
Division is the opposite of multiplying. If you know a multiplication
fact you can find a division fact:

Example: 3 × 5 = 15, so 15 / 5 = 3.
Also 15 / 3 = 5.

Why? Well it is easy to understand if you think of the numbers in rows

and columns like in this illustration:
 Multiplication... ...Division
3 groups of 5 make 15... so 15 divided by 3 is 5

and also:

5 groups of 3 make 15... so 15 divided by 5 is 3.

So there are four related facts:

• 3 × 5 = 15
• 5 × 3 = 15
• 15 / 3 = 5
• 15 / 5 = 3

Knowing your Multiplication Tables can help you with division!

Example: What is 56 ÷ 7 ?
Searching around the multiplication table you find that 56 is 7 ×
8, so 56 divided by 7 must be 8. Answer: 56 ÷ 7 = 8.

Names
There are special names for each number in a division:

dividend ÷ divisor = quotient

Example: in 12 ÷ 3 = 4:
 • 12 is the dividend
• 3 is the divisor
• 4 is the quotient

But Sometimes It Does Not Work Perfectly!

Sometimes you cannot divide things up evenly ... there may be
something left over.

Example: There are 7 cookies, and 2 people want to

share them equally.

But 7 cookies cannot be divided exactly into 2 groups,

because there will be 1 left over:

We call that the Remainder.

Read more about this at Division and Remainders

Exercises
Try these division worksheets.