Division of Fractions and Mixed Numbers

divide symbol In this lesson, you will expand your skills in fraction division. You will learn that dividing by a number and multiplying by the reciprocal of the number give the same result. Make sure you always rewrite the division problem as a multiplication problem before you try to find common factors or cancel out factors.

Look at the following problems and simplify:

$LaTeX: 10\div5 \\ 10\cdot \frac{1}{5}$

Both are equal to 2.

What is the relationship between 5 and equation image indicator $LaTeX: \frac{1}{5}$ ? Let's multiply them and find out!

equation image indicator $LaTeX: \frac{5}{1}\cdot\frac{1}{5}=\frac{5}{5}=1$

Now do you see what the rule "Keep, Change, Flip means?

When you divide fractions, you are multiplying by the reciprocal to get your answer.

Keep the first number (dividend)
Change division sign to multiplication
Flip, or invert the fraction

When you divide mixed numbers, follow these steps:

Change the mixed number to an improper fraction
Keep the first number
Change division sign to multiplication
Flip (multiply by the reciprocal)
Simplify

The following video has some perfect examples of this process.

Division of Fractions and Mixed Numbers Practice

Now that you have spent some time learning about division of fraction and mixed numbers, you are ready to complete your Integers and Rational Numbers: Division of Fractions and Mixed Numbers Practice. Download your practice by CLICKING HERE.

Once you have completed your practice, AND MAKE SURE YOU ATTEMPTED AND WORKED THE PROBLEMS OUT ON YOUR OWN, click here to download your practice key.

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