How to Divide a Fraction by a Whole Number: Step-by-Step Guide

Dividing Fractions by Whole Numbers

• 🎯 To divide a fraction by a whole number, the first step is to turn the whole number into a fraction by placing it over one.
• 🔑 For example, the whole number 5 can be written as the fraction 5/1.

The Keep, Change, Flip Method

• 🔄 Once the whole number is a fraction, you are essentially dividing two fractions.
• 💡 The method to use is Keep, Change, Flip.
• ➡️ Keep the first fraction as it is.
• ➕ Change the division sign to a multiplication sign.
• ↩️ Flip the second fraction (the one representing the whole number) upside down.

Multiplying Fractions

• ✖️ After applying Keep, Change, Flip, you multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
• 1️⃣ For the example 1/4 divided by 5 (or 5/1), after Keep, Change, Flip, you get 1/4 * 1/5. Multiplying across gives (11) / (45) = 1/20.
• 2️⃣ For the example 3/5 divided by 4 (or 4/1), after Keep, Change, Flip, you get 3/5 * 1/4. Multiplying across gives (31) / (54) = 3/20.
• 🚫 If the resulting fraction cannot be simplified, that is your final answer.