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math worksheets > > fractions > > dividing fractions

How to Divide Fractions

Remember . . .
numerator/denominator

Here's a memory trick: the Denominator is the bottom, or Down number in a fraction -- and both Denominator and Down start with the letter D.

Dividing fractions is almost as simple a multiplying them. Unlike adding and subtracting, where care must be taken to ensure that both fractions have a common denominator, the division operation has no such requirement.

Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by the number's reciprocal. For example:

dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying by 1/2

dividing by 4 is the same as multiplying by 1/4

Simply invert (i.e. flip over) the second fraction, then multiply the new numerators (top numbers), and the new denomominators (bottom numbers), and place the resulting answers in their respective top / bottom location in the answer fraction. Then reduce the fraction, if possible

Example 1: Simple fraction division

1/1 ÷ 1/2 = ?

Invert the 1/2, creating 2/1, then multiply numerators and denominators to find the answer:

1/1 x 2/1 = 2/1 =

Example 2: Fraction division requiring reducing and conversion:

2/4 ÷ 2/5 = ?

Invert the 2/5, then multiply:

2/4 x 5/2 = 10/8

Then reduce the fraction:

10/8 = 5/4

Then convert the improper fraction to a mixed number:

5/4 = 1-1/4

Got it? Great! Then go to the SuperKids Math Worksheet Creator for Basic Fractions, and give it a try!

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