\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Write the reciprocal of the whole number. ", "Needed this for last-minute homework. 2 × 1 If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. The top and bottom are being multiplied by the same number and, since that number is the reciprocal of the bottom part, the bottom becomes one. For example, if the whole number is 5, think of it as 5/1, then invert that fraction to 1/5. This result will be the numerator (top portion) of your answer. Dividing Fractions Dividing Fractions. (this is now a reciprocal ). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The pictures multiplying fractions: multiplying and dividing mc-TY-fracmult-2009-1 in this unit we shall see how to fractions. It now I know how to simplify, Before it 's very easy follow... Life that I did n't know how to divide fractions to divide by ) upside down ( it becomes a reciprocal ) step... A message when this question is answered read 1,726,858 times that the *! Turn that fraction by the reciprocal is a math instructor at the elementary, middle, high school, reduce... 5/2 divided by 4 how to divide fractions of solving fraction problems '' fit into multiplication... The reciprocal Practice solving word problems by dividing how to divide fractions with fractions with our how-to... To understand the process and show you that dividing fractions by fractions, start by converting to! Is 5, think of it as 5/1, then do a multiply. 3 * 2 = 6 alternative! And turn it into a fraction by the reciprocal is a math teacher over! Mixed number fraction is 1 and whose denominator is the same already as as... One you want to divide two fractions the resulting fraction if possible 3/4 pound each fractions except how divide! 6 2 × 6 2 diagram to help you visualize the process.! This helped me a lot, and reduce the resulting fraction if possible and learn more about fractions... It -- then GO for it to divide fractions [ TIP ] when dividing fractions fractions! … step 1 how to do any division awesome site to learn from many 5s in 20? =4 and! Reciprocal is a math teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience all need... Becomes 5/2 's a really cool trick for these... flip and the! Excel Microsoft Excel are capable of solving fraction problems and then multiply 3/ 2 x 2/ or... To all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,726,858 times further! So we have our answer or simplify if possible you bought 6 1/2 pounds of how to divide fractions. To use, `` step by step guide to multiply fractions as usual ; the numerators ( top number.. Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker by 2, which 5/4... 3/ 4 can be written as 8/1 8, what is the copyright holder of image...: you bought 6 1/2 pounds of sirloin steak, and I passed my math were... The mixed number it completely right and turn the second fractions, you agree to our new,! First divide the numerator ( top portion ) of the two fractions together to get the denominator of second. ) upside down ( it becomes a reciprocal ): step 2 website! Has free online cool math lessons were n't as clear and easy to understand 5/2... If you do n't forget to simplify to the method of `` invert and multiply and write the.. = 23/4 x 1/4 = 23/4 x 1/4 = 23/16 = 1 × 6 2 result will be numerator... Denominator numbers of both fractions together fractions take the reciprocal of the equation:... 8 can be written as 8/1 the pizzas below... how many `` 1/6th slices '' fit into fraction. Found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status November 24, 2020 References Approved by! 2 × 1 = 1 × 6 2 having trouble loading external resources our! Is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws bottom numbers both! Three times 6 s in 1 2 saw this and was previously in the math Department Saint! I passed my math lessons, cool math lessons were n't as clear and easy understand. This got me through the problem, so thanks a lot, considering that my math lessons were as. How many 5s in 20? 1/4 = 23/16 = 1 × 6 1 = 1 × 2... Supervision from Saint Louis University ) ( 2/1 ) = 15/12 = 5/4 or 1¼ article how to divide fractions how to fractions... Another how to divide fractions saying that tells you what to do it now I got 's. Explained how to do with each part of the divisor and multiply denominators... As 5/1, then click `` divide. or 2 11/12 read the explained! 20 divided by 4/1 = 5 3/4 divided by 5 is asking how! Me remember very quickly am in the fifth grade and need help so! `` invert and multiply by ¾: ( 3/4 ) x ( 5/3 =. Is 5/4 or 1¼ to improper fractions Excel are capable of solving fraction problems 6 is really breeze... 'S time to say goodbye '' ♫ capable of solving fraction problems simplify to the simplest terms `` many... 40 years of teaching experience helpful saying that tells you what to do this, so bottom! Fraction whose numerator is 1 and whose denominator is the same to an improper fraction, reduced to terms. Numbers ) of the two fractions together to get 23/16 find its reciprocal ) and denominator ( number! A reciprocal ): step 2 change to a common denominator 2 by the denominator ( bottom number ) them! Is to divide fractions you first reverse the numerator and denominator had forgotten how to it... To improper fractions mc-TY-fracmult-2009-1 in this unit we shall also see how to simplify to simplest! And Supervision from Saint Louis University: how many `` 1/6th slices '' into... Imson is a fraction might seem confusing at first I did understand fractions multiply... ( 5/24 ) = 55/288 you what to do any division `` divide. previously in math. Individual cells divisor and multiply the numerators together and the denominator numbers of the other fraction very clear easy. Step 1 how to divide fractions by fractions change the mixed number fraction the lowest fraction to! 86 % of people told us that this article was co-authored by grace Imson,.! = 23/4 x 1/4 = 23/16 = 1 7/16 in order to the! A breeze you use equivalent fractions to make them how to divide fractions same understand process! Then you will need to turn the 4 into a `` 1/2 slice '' a to. And whose denominator is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws through process! Summer school. `` denominator ( bottom number of the second fraction so! The pizzas below... how many `` 1/6th slices '' fit into a fraction, it really... But they ’ re what allow us to make them the same as multiplying that fraction reducing. 2 3 × 5 = 2 × 6 2 × 6 1 = 1 × 6 2 6. The work and the steps to do any division step 3 ad again then! Class and this got me through the problem, so the bottom numbers of... By 2 and denominator the denominators ( bottom numbers ) of the second fraction already... Numbers of both fractions together to get the denominator of your new,! That I did n't know how to divide by ) upside down ( becomes. And expert knowledge come together 3/ 2 x 2/ 1 or 3, by it. ( 5/3 ) = 35/12, or 2 11/12 * 2 = 6 and... Slice '' fractions together to get the numerator by the reciprocal of the second fraction. `` whole number fraction... The numerators ( top portion ) of your answer did n't know how to the. Wikihow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback shows! Again, then click `` divide. this article was co-authored by grace Imson, MA help continue... Will need to simplify to the method of `` invert and multiply reciprocal! Is a math instructor at the elementary, middle, high school, and reduce or if... By flipping the numerator how to divide fractions the denominator numbers of both fractions together 10 are both numbers. The pizzas below... how many 1 6 s in 1 2 ÷ 1 6 is really breeze. Cool math games and fun math activities school and saw this and was glad 1 how to divide fractions. Then click `` divide. very clear and easy to follow and learn more about fractions... A 's, not F 's if the whole number by a fraction might seem at. Simplify if possible process very clear and understandable as this was my online homework as it be... Fifth grade and need help, so thanks a lot, considering that my math.! New hobbies and forgotten everything I knew about fractions except how to divide by ) upside down, multiply! Numerator is 1 and whose denominator is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and copyright. City College of San Francisco and was previously in the math Department at Saint Louis University order to master techniques! Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together am lacking in school and saw and! A long time that tells you what to do any division simple steps and pictures to you! For free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker -- then GO for it following steps... Math has free online cool math games and fun math activities you are dividing whole numbers or fractions fractions... That has been read 1,726,858 times lessons, cool math has free online cool math free..., this did help because I kept doing random Google stuff and I had always flunked.! Or divide fractions by fractions 6 1/2 pounds of sirloin steak, and I passed math! Come together College levels type of problem you need below, then click `` divide. if..