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### Course: Grade 6 (Virginia)>Unit 3

Lesson 7: Dividing fractions by fractions

# Dividing fractions: 3/5 ÷ 1/2

Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction. The first step to dividing fractions is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. Finally, simplify the fractions if needed. Created by Sal Khan and Monterey Institute for Technology and Education.

## Want to join the conversation?

• when you are dividing with mixed numbers do you turn them into improper fractions like when you are multiplying with mixed numbers? • It is very similar. The main difference between multiplying and dividing is that you change it to the reciprocal. The reciprocal is what you multiply the number by to make it 1. For example, 5/3 divided by 2/3 would be the same as 5/3 * 3/2.
• How do you divide fractions that include whole numbers with fractions? • how if its 1/3 divided by 4 • Will you only and always just use the reciprocal of the second fraction?? Please help...Have a test on this soon!! ( If you need me to clarify pls let me know!!) Thanks!!☺️ • Pov: you learned nothing bc u were looking at the coments • I don't understand -. why do you need the multiplication sign when you can put that there in the first place and what is a reciprocal in mixed numbers, example you are solving 1 2/3 divided by 1 3/4 (IF! because I don't understand this) what is the reciprocal of 1 3/4?? please explain this to me!! • I'm not sure what you mean by "when you can put that there in the first place" but I think i can explain mixed numbers.

There's no easy way to get a reciprocal with mixed numbers as far as I'm aware. So you want to turn any mixed numbers into impoper fractions. In fact, as you get into higher math you use mixed numbers less and less and improper fractions more and more, to the point I just automatically turn all mixed numbers into improper fractions most of the time.

Anyway, as a quick demonstration I'll turn the two numbers you gave into improper fractions and give their reciprocal.

1 2/3 = 3/3 + 2/3 = 5/3 so the reciprocal is 3/5

1 3/4 = 4/4 + 3/4 = 7/4 so the reciprocal is 4/7

If you wanna work through your other question I'd be happy to, otherwise hope that helps.
• when dividing fractions how do you do it with a whole number • This is a bit unrelated, but it applies to a certain facet of a problem. Does a fraction need to be simplified before you add/subtract/multiply/divide it with another fraction?
For example, 3/8 x 2 - 1/4. Using the PEMDAS method, we multiply 3/8 x 2 first.This equals 6/8. Now, does this 6/8 need to be simplified before we subtract it by 1/4? • The fractions don't have to be simplified before doing addition or subtraction; we are just converting the fraction(s) into forms which they have common denominators. When fractions have common denominators, you add/subtract the numerators to get the "new numerator's value", and keep the value of the denominator.
Also, sometimes it is better to not simplify fractions so common denominators can be kept.
For the 6/8 minus 1/4, simplifying the 6/8 to 3/4 will give it the same denominator as 1/4, and the only calculation that needs to be done is 3 minus 1 (we "copy and paste" the 4 into the denominator). You can also multiply the 1/4 by 2/2, which gives 2/8, and you can subtract 6/8 by 2/8. However, if the problem requires you to write answer in the simplest form, simplifying fractions in advance may make things easier (e.g. you won't have to divide both the numerator and denominator by a very large value.)
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