Dividing Fractions By Whole Numbers

Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number.

To Divide a Fraction by a Whole Number:

Step 1. Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number
Step 2. Simplify the fraction (if needed)

Example 1

1	÷ 3
2

Step 1. Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number

1	=	1
2 × 3		6

Step 2. Fraction is already as simple as possible, so no need for step 2. Answer:

1	÷ 3 =	1
2		6

Does it make sense?

Does	1	÷ 3 really equal	1	?
	2		6

Well look at the pizzas below ...
When half a pizza is divided into 3 equal parts. Each person gets one sixth of a whole pizza.

A Half:

Divided by 3:

Answer: 1/6

Example 2

2	÷ 4
5

Step 1. Multiply the bottom number of the fraction by the whole number

2	=	2
5 × 4		20

Step 2. Simplify the fraction:

2	=	1
20		10

And that is all you have to do.