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Fractions

Division

Imagine for a moment we have some leftover pie, amounting to 5/12 of a pie and we want to find how many 1/8-sized pieces can be cut from the leftovers. We could calculate this amount by dividing 5/12 by 1/8.

÷ =

5/12 ÷ 1/8 = 5/12 × 8/1 = 40/12 = 3 1/3

To divide a number by a fraction, we multiply the number by the reciprocal of the fraction:

and when that number is a fraction,

Example

Click on the question marks to see the division step-by-step.

More Examples

Here are some more examples of dividing two fractions:

Exercise

Practice by dividing the following fractions:

Division of signed fractions

Just as for all operations, the same basic methods apply to signed fractions. The only extra complication is that we must remember to deal with the sign. Decide the sign first before you divide so you don't forget.

Signs of numbers after division

Examples

Exercise

Now try some exercises. Remember to reduce the fractions if possible.

<< Reciprocal | Fractions Index | Adding Fractions >>