Remember that a unit fraction is a fraction containing in the numerator. So, for example, the fractions

are both unit fractions, whereas

are not unit fractions.

In this lesson, we will use models to divide unit fractions by whole numbers.

Let's use a fraction model to find the value of

We start with a square model of split vertically.



To divide by we split the above whole into equal parts horizontally. Then, we remove any shaded parts that are not in the bottom row.



From the picture on the right, we obtain that the shaded part represents of the whole.

Therefore,

FLAG

What division problem is represented by the model below?



EXPLANATION

We have \dfrac{1}{4} on the left and \dfrac{1}{8} on the right.



The division operation splits the shaded region on the left into 2 equal parts. So the shaded part on the left is 2 times larger than the shaded part on the right.

Therefore, the division problem shown is:

\dfrac{1}{4} \div 2 = \dfrac{1}{8}

FLAG

What division problem is represented by the model above?

a
$\dfrac{1}{5} \div 3 = \dfrac{3}{15}$
b
$\dfrac{3}{5} \div 3 = \dfrac{1}{5}$
c
$\dfrac{1}{5} \div 3 = \dfrac{1}{15}$
d
$\dfrac{5}{3} \div 5 = \dfrac{1}{3}$
e
$\dfrac{1}{3} \div 5 = \dfrac{5}{15}$

What division problem is represented by the model above?

a
b
c
d
e

What number is missing from the division problem below?



EXPLANATION

We have \dfrac{1}{3} on the left and \dfrac{1}{15} on the right.



The division operation splits the shaded region on the left into 5 equal parts. So the shaded part on the left is 5 times larger than the shaded part on the right.

Therefore, the division problem shown is:

\dfrac{1}{3} \div {\color{blue}{5}} = \dfrac{1}{15}

So, the missing number is \color{blue}5.

FLAG

Insert the missing number in the division problem below.

a
b
c
d
e

What number is missing from the division problem above?

a
$6$
b
$3$
c
$5$
d
$2$
e
$4$

Insert the missing number in the division problem below.

a
b
c
d
e

What picture is missing from the division model below?



EXPLANATION

Notice that in the model, we have \dfrac{1}{3} on the left.

Since we need to divide by \color{blue}3 , we split the whole into \color{blue}3 equal parts horizontally.


From the picture on the right, we obtain that the shaded part represents \dfrac{1}{9} of the whole.

So, the missing picture is:


FLAG

What picture is missing from the division model above?

a
b
c
d
e

What picture is missing from the division model above?

a
b
c
d
e

Use the model below to calculate \dfrac{1}{4} \div 4.



EXPLANATION

Since we need to divide by \color{blue}4 , we split the whole into \color{blue}4 equal parts horizontally.



From the picture on the right, we obtain that the shaded part represents \dfrac{1}{16} of the whole.

Therefore, \dfrac{1}{4} \div 4 = \dfrac{1}{16}\,.

FLAG

Use the model above to solve the following division problem.

a
b
c
d
e

Use the model above to calculate $\dfrac{1}{5} \div 6.$

a
$\dfrac{1}{30}$
b
$\dfrac{5}{30}$
c
$30$
d
$\dfrac{6}{5}$
e
$\dfrac{1}{6}$

Use the model above to solve the following division problem.

a
b
c
d
e
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