Remember that a unit fraction is a fraction containing {\color{blue}{1}} in the numerator. So, for example, the fractions

\dfrac{\color{blue}{1}}2, \qquad\dfrac{\color{blue}{1}}{12} are both unit fractions, whereas

\dfrac{\color{red}{2}}9, \qquad \dfrac{\color{red}{3}}{5} 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

\dfrac{1}{2} \div 2. We start with a square model of \dfrac12, split vertically.



To divide \dfrac{1}{2} by {\color{blue}2}, we split the above whole into \color{blue}2 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 \dfrac{1}{4} of the whole.

Therefore, \dfrac{1}{2} \div 2 = \dfrac{1}{4}.

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

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

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

Use the model above to solve the following division problem.

a
b
c
d
e
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