The Four Operations for Fractions

Dividing Fractions

This is virtually a rearranging of multiplying fractions.

The basic steps to follow are:

  1. Change all numbers into improper fractions.
  2. Keep the 1st fraction as it is and change the ‘÷’ sign into a ‘x’ sign.
  3. Flip the 2nd fraction.
  4. Now carry out the multiplying, cancelling anything you can, as you go along.
  5. Simplify.

Examples

Example 1
 
2   ÷   3
5
 
 
= 2   ÷   3
1 5
(Step 1)
 
= 2   x   5
1 3
(Steps 2 & 3)
 
= 10
3
(Step 4)
 
= 3 1
3
(Step 5)

 


 

Example 2
 
2 1   ÷   1 7
7 8
 
 
= 15   ÷   15
7 8
(Step 1)
 
= 15   x   8
7 15
(Step 2 & 3)
  (Step 4)
 
= 1 x 8
7 x 1
 
 
= 8
7
 
 
= 1 1
7
(Step 5)