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)

 

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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)

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