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Grade 5 math worksheets

Build your own math worksheets from 35,000+ problems for grades 3 to 12, from fractions to AP Calculus. Every problem comes with step-by-step solutions.

Divide unit fraction by whole number

Learning goals

  • Finds the quotient of a unit fraction divided by a whole number.
  • Represents a unit fraction shared equally among a whole number of groups.
  • Explains why sharing a unit fraction makes each part smaller when there are several groups.
  • Checks division of a unit fraction by a whole number using multiplication.

Click problems to add them to your worksheet.

Divide unit fraction by whole number 1
A \(\frac{1}{3}\)-yard piece of ribbon is cut into \(4\) equal pieces. What fraction of a yard long is each piece?

Hints

- Think about what happens to a piece when it is split into several equal smaller pieces. - Check whether putting all the equal pieces back together would recreate the original length.

Solution

1. The \(\frac{1}{3}\) yard is shared equally among \(4\) pieces, so the calculation is \(\frac{1}{3}\div4\). 2. Splitting one third into \(4\) equal parts gives \(\frac{1}{12}\).

Answer

Each piece is \(\frac{1}{12}\) yard long.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 2
The whole bar represents one whole. The shaded part is shared equally among \(3\) people. Which value makes the corresponding division equation true: \(\frac{1}{21}\), \(\frac{3}{7}\), or \(\frac{1}{10}\)? Explain how multiplication checks your choice.
Figure for problem 540867

Hints

- The quotient should be smaller than the original unit fraction. - Test a choice by asking whether three equal copies rebuild the starting fraction.

Solution

1. Dividing \(\frac{1}{7}\) into \(3\) equal shares makes each share \(\frac{1}{21}\). 2. Check: \(\frac{1}{21}\times3=\frac{3}{21}=\frac{1}{7}\).

Answer

The value is \(\frac{1}{21}\). The check is \(\frac{1}{21}\times3=\frac{1}{7}\), so three equal shares rebuild the shaded \(\frac{1}{7}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 3
An animation uses \(\frac{1}{3}\) minute for its opening sequence. The opening is divided into \(5\) equal clips. What fraction of a minute long is each clip?

Hints

- Treat the opening time as one quantity being shared equally. - Check that five equal clip lengths add back to the full opening time.

Solution

1. The total opening time is \(\frac{1}{3}\) minute and it is split into \(5\) equal parts. 2. \(\frac{1}{3}\div5=\frac{1}{15}\).

Answer

Each clip lasts \(\frac{1}{15}\) minute.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 4
Panel a) shows a shaded part of a whole being shared equally among \(4\) people. Panel b) represents an equal-size whole divided into smaller equal parts, and its shaded region has the same area as the shaded region in panel a). a) What fraction is being shared? b) What fraction of the whole does each person receive? c) Write the division equation and explain what the shaded parts in panel b) represent.
Figure for problem 540924

Hints

- Read the starting fraction from panel a). - In panel b), count how many smaller shaded parts make the same amount. - One of those equal shaded parts is one person's share.

Solution

1. Panel a) has \(1\) of \(7\) equal parts shaded, so the amount being shared is \(\frac{1}{7}\) of the whole. 2. In panel b), that same one-seventh region contains \(4\) equal cells, one for each share. 3. The whole grid has \(28\) equal cells, so each person receives \(\frac{1}{28}\) of the whole. Therefore \(\frac{1}{7}\div4=\frac{1}{28}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{7}\) b) \(\frac{1}{28}\) c) \(\frac{1}{7}\div4=\frac{1}{28}\). The shaded cells together equal the original seventh, and one shaded cell is one person's share.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 5
The rectangle represents one whole. The shaded column is shared equally between \(2\) people. a) What fraction of the whole is shaded? b) What fraction of the whole is one share? c) Write the division equation and explain how the model shows the two equal shares.
Figure for problem 540957

Hints

- Count how many equal columns make the whole. - Look at how the shaded column is split. - Compare one shaded cell with all the equal cells in the rectangle.

Solution

1. The whole has \(11\) equal columns, so the shaded column is \(\frac{1}{11}\) of the whole. 2. Each column is split into \(2\) equal cells, making \(22\) equal cells in the whole. 3. The two shaded cells are the two equal shares. Each cell is \(\frac{1}{22}\) of the whole. 4. Therefore \(\frac{1}{11}\div2=\frac{1}{22}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{11}\) b) \(\frac{1}{22}\) c) \(\frac{1}{11}\div2=\frac{1}{22}\). The shaded column is split into two equal cells, one for each share.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 6
Panel a) shows the amount of juice being shared equally between \(2\) cups. Panel b) shows that same amount after it has been divided into the two equal shares. a) What fraction of a whole cup is being shared? b) What fraction of a whole cup goes into each cup? c) Write the division equation and explain the refinement from panel a) to panel b).
Figure for problem 541135

Hints

- Read the starting amount from panel a). - In panel b), identify how many fourths make the same amount as the half. - Split those fourths equally between the two cups.

Solution

1. Panel a) shows \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup. 2. In panel b), the whole is divided into \(4\) equal parts, and the original half covers \(2\) fourths. Sharing those two fourths equally between two cups gives one fourth per cup. 3. Thus \(\frac{1}{2}\div2=\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup b) \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup c) \(\frac{1}{2}\div2=\frac{1}{4}\). Panel b) shows the original half as two fourths, one for each equal share.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 7
Panel a) shows the unit-fraction amount being shared. Panel b) shows that same amount after it has been repartitioned into \(4\) equal shares. a) What fraction of the whole pan is being shared? b) What fraction of the whole pan is one share? c) Write the division equation, and explain how panel b) shows the new denominator.
Figure for problem 540848

Hints

- Read the starting fraction from panel a). - In panel b), count how many finer parts cover exactly the same amount. - One of those finer parts is one of the four equal shares.

Solution

1. Panel a) shows \(1\) of \(5\) equal parts, so the starting amount is \(\frac{1}{5}\). 2. Panel b) partitions the whole into \(20\) equal parts. The original fifth occupies \(4\) of those parts, so each of its \(4\) equal shares is one twentieth. 3. Thus \(\frac{1}{5}\div4=\frac{1}{20}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{5}\) b) \(\frac{1}{20}\) c) \(\frac{1}{5}\div4=\frac{1}{20}\). Panel b) shows the original fifth as four twentieths, so one of the four equal shares is one twentieth.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 8
Panel a) shows a shaded part of a wildlife garden. That amount is shared equally among \(5\) plant types. Panel b) represents an equal-size garden divided into smaller equal parts, and its shaded region has the same area as the shaded region in panel a). a) What fraction of the whole garden is being divided? b) What fraction of the whole garden is one share? c) Write the division equation and explain how panel b) shows the equal shares.
Figure for problem 540858

Hints

- Read the starting fraction from panel a). - In panel b), compare the shaded region with all the equal cells in the whole. - Think about how the shaded cells can be shared equally among the \(5\) plant types.

Solution

1. Panel a) has \(1\) of \(6\) equal parts shaded, so \(\frac{1}{6}\) of the garden is being divided. 2. In panel b), the same one-sixth region contains \(5\) equal cells. Sharing those cells among \(5\) plant types gives one cell per share. 3. The whole grid has \(30\) equal cells, so one share is \(\frac{1}{30}\) of the whole. Therefore \(\frac{1}{6}\div5=\frac{1}{30}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{6}\) b) \(\frac{1}{30}\) c) \(\frac{1}{6}\div5=\frac{1}{30}\). The shaded sixth is split into \(5\) equal cells, one for each share.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 9
Compare \(\frac{1}{4}\div2\) and \(\frac{1}{4}\div4\). Which quotient is greater? Find both quotients and explain why.

Hints

- Both problems start with the same amount. - Think about whether dividing that amount among more groups makes each share larger or smaller.

Solution

1. \(\frac{1}{4}\div2=\frac{1}{8}\). 2. \(\frac{1}{4}\div4=\frac{1}{16}\). 3. Splitting the same unit fraction into fewer equal shares makes each share larger, so \(\frac{1}{8}>\frac{1}{16}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{4}\div2=\frac{1}{8}\) is greater than \(\frac{1}{4}\div4=\frac{1}{16}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 10
Find \(\frac{1}{9}\div6\). Then explain why the quotient has denominator \(54\) by thinking about equal shares, not by stating a rule.

Hints

- Imagine the whole first divided into ninths. - Then subdivide one of those ninths into six equal parts.

Solution

1. One ninth is one of \(9\) equal parts of a whole. 2. Splitting that one ninth into \(6\) equal shares makes \(9\times6=54\) equal shares of the whole. 3. Each share is \(\frac{1}{54}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{9}\div6=\frac{1}{54}\). One ninth is one of \(9\) equal parts of the whole; splitting that ninth into \(6\) equal shares makes \(54\) equal parts in the whole, so each share is \(\frac{1}{54}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 11
A \(\frac{1}{8}\)-acre test plot is divided equally among \(6\) plant varieties. What fraction of an acre is assigned to each variety? Check your answer with multiplication.

Hints

- The whole-number divisor tells how many equal shares the fractional area is split into. - Your answer should be smaller than the original unit fraction. - Multiply one share by the number of varieties to check that you recover the original area.

Solution

1. Divide the unit fraction by the number of equal shares: \(\frac{1}{8}\div6=\frac{1}{48}\). 2. Each variety receives \(\frac{1}{48}\) acre. 3. Check: \(6\times\frac{1}{48}=\frac{6}{48}=\frac{1}{8}\).

Answer

Each variety receives \(\frac{1}{48}\) acre. Check: \(6\times\frac{1}{48}=\frac{1}{8}\) acre.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 12
A \(\frac{1}{5}\)-cup sample is shared equally among \(6\) containers. Find the amount in one container. Then write a multiplication equation that reverses the division and checks your answer.

Hints

- Six equal container amounts must combine to the original \(\frac{1}{5}\) cup. - Use the relationship between one share and the total to judge the quotient's size. - A valid multiplication check should rebuild the starting amount exactly.

Solution

1. Divide the unit fraction by \(6\): \(\frac{1}{5}\div6=\frac{1}{30}\) cup. 2. The reverse multiplication check is \(6\times\frac{1}{30}=\frac{6}{30}=\frac{1}{5}\). 3. The check confirms that six equal shares rebuild the original amount.

Answer

Each container gets \(\frac{1}{30}\) cup, and \(6\times\frac{1}{30}=\frac{1}{5}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 13
The whole bar represents \(1\,\text{liter}\). The shaded sample is divided equally among \(7\) containers. First write the shaded amount as a fraction in simplest form. Then find how much liquid is in each container. Explain using equal parts rather than a division rule.
Figure for problem 541059

Hints

- Simplify the shaded fraction first. - Think about splitting that shaded amount into \(7\) equal shares. - Ask how many equal small parts the whole liter would have after the split.

Solution

1. The model shades \(2\) of \(8\) equal parts, so the sample is \(\frac{2}{8}=\frac{1}{4}\,\text{liter}\). 2. Split that one-fourth-liter amount into \(7\) equal shares. This makes \(4\times7=28\) equal parts in one liter. 3. Each container receives \(\frac{1}{28}\,\text{liter}\), so \(\frac{1}{4}\div7=\frac{1}{28}\).

Answer

The shaded sample is \(\frac{1}{4}\,\text{liter}\). Each container receives \(\frac{1}{28}\,\text{liter}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 14
The colored region represents one original unit-fraction part of the whole bar. That region has been split into \(4\) equal shares, shown as four separate pieces. What was the original unit fraction, what division equation does the model represent, and what fraction of the whole is one share?
Figure for problem 554454

Hints

- Compare the entire colored region with all equal parts in the bar before focusing on one share. - Count how many equal pieces the colored region has been split into. - One final share is one of the smallest equal parts shown in the whole bar.

Solution

1. The colored region covers \(4\) of the \(12\) equal parts, so it represents \(\frac{4}{12}=\frac{1}{3}\) of the whole. 2. That \(\frac{1}{3}\) region is split into \(4\) equal shares. 3. Each share is one of the \(12\) equal parts of the whole, so \(\frac{1}{3}\div4=\frac{1}{12}\).

Answer

The original unit fraction is \(\frac{1}{3}\). The model represents \(\frac{1}{3}\div4=\frac{1}{12}\), so one share is \(\frac{1}{12}\) of the whole.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 15
Panel a) shows the starting unit fraction. Panel b) shows that same amount after it is split into \(3\) equal shares. Write the division equation represented by the two panels and explain how the change in the partition shows the quotient.
Figure for problem 554455

Hints

- First identify the fraction shown in panel a). - Compare the number of equal parts in the whole before and after the subdivision. - In panel b), focus on the size of one of the three equal pieces that replace the original shaded part.

Solution

1. Panel a) shows \(1\) of \(5\) equal parts, so the starting amount is \(\frac{1}{5}\). 2. In panel b), the whole is divided into \(15\) equal parts, and the original one-fifth region occupies \(3\) of those parts. 3. Splitting those \(3\) small parts into \(3\) equal shares gives one \(\frac{1}{15}\)-sized part per share. 4. Therefore \(\frac{1}{5}\div3=\frac{1}{15}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{5}\div3=\frac{1}{15}\). Panel b) shows that subdividing the original fifth into \(3\) equal shares makes \(15\) equal parts in the whole, so one share is \(\frac{1}{15}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 16
Find the positive whole number \(n\) that makes \(\frac{1}{4}\div n=\frac{1}{20}\) true. Explain how you know.

Hints

- Rewrite the starting unit fraction using twentieths. - Ask how many copies of the quotient make the original fraction.

Solution

1. The quotient \(\frac{1}{20}\) must be repeated \(n\) times to rebuild \(\frac{1}{4}\). 2. Since \(\frac{1}{4}=\frac{5}{20}\), five copies of \(\frac{1}{20}\) make \(\frac{1}{4}\). 3. Therefore \(n=5\).

Answer

\(n=5\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 17
Create a short story situation for \(\frac{1}{5}\div6\), then solve the division and explain what the quotient means in your story.

Hints

- Make the unit fraction the total amount being shared. - Make the whole number the number of equal shares. - Interpret the quotient as the size of one share.

Solution

1. One valid story is: \(\frac{1}{5}\) pound of clay is shared equally among \(6\) students. 2. \(\frac{1}{5}\div6=\frac{1}{30}\). 3. In this story, each student receives \(\frac{1}{30}\) pound of clay.

Answer

Answers will vary. A valid story must use \(\frac{1}{5}\) as the total amount, \(6\) as the number of equal shares, and \(\frac{1}{30}\) as the size of each share.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 18
Order these quotients from greatest to least: \(\frac{1}{3}\div2\), \(\frac{1}{3}\div5\), \(\frac{1}{3}\div8\). Then find each quotient.

Hints

- All three expressions start with the same amount. - Think about how the size of one share changes when the number of shares increases.

Solution

1. The same amount \(\frac{1}{3}\) is split into different numbers of equal shares, so fewer shares give a larger share. 2. \(\frac{1}{3}\div2=\frac{1}{6}\), \(\frac{1}{3}\div5=\frac{1}{15}\), and \(\frac{1}{3}\div8=\frac{1}{24}\). 3. Therefore \(\frac{1}{6}>\frac{1}{15}>\frac{1}{24}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{3}\div2>\frac{1}{3}\div5>\frac{1}{3}\div8\), with quotients \(\frac{1}{6},\frac{1}{15},\frac{1}{24}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 19
Find each quotient: \(\frac{1}{2}\div3\), \(\frac{1}{5}\div3\), and \(\frac{1}{8}\div3\). What pattern do you notice in the denominators, and why does it make sense?

Hints

- Think about subdividing one equal part into three smaller equal parts. - Compare each original denominator with the denominator of its quotient.

Solution

1. \(\frac{1}{2}\div3=\frac{1}{6}\). 2. \(\frac{1}{5}\div3=\frac{1}{15}\). 3. \(\frac{1}{8}\div3=\frac{1}{24}\). 4. Each original unit fraction is split into \(3\) equal parts, so the whole is partitioned into three times as many equal parts.

Answer

The quotients are \(\frac{1}{6},\frac{1}{15},\frac{1}{24}\). Each denominator is \(3\) times the original denominator because each original equal part is split into \(3\) smaller equal parts.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 20
You know \(7\times\frac{1}{56}=\frac{1}{8}\). Use the relationship between multiplication and division to write a unit-fraction ÷ whole-number equation with quotient \(\frac{1}{56}\).

Hints

- Read the multiplication as a statement about equal copies. - Reverse the relationship to describe one share of the total.

Solution

1. The multiplication says seven equal copies of \(\frac{1}{56}\) make \(\frac{1}{8}\). 2. Therefore splitting \(\frac{1}{8}\) into \(7\) equal shares gives \(\frac{1}{56}\). 3. The division equation is \(\frac{1}{8}\div7=\frac{1}{56}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{8}\div7=\frac{1}{56}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 21
Compare \(\frac{1}{5}\div7\) and \(\frac{1}{7}\div5\). Are the quotients equal? Find both and explain why the same unit fraction results.

Hints

- Think about how many equal pieces the whole has after both stages of partitioning. - Compare the total number of final equal pieces in the two expressions.

Solution

1. Splitting \(\frac{1}{5}\) into \(7\) equal shares gives \(\frac{1}{35}\). 2. Splitting \(\frac{1}{7}\) into \(5\) equal shares also gives \(\frac{1}{35}\). 3. In both cases, the whole ends up partitioned into \(5\times7=35\) equal parts.

Answer

The quotients are equal; both are \(\frac{1}{35}\). In either order, the two stages partition the whole into \(5\times7=35\) equal parts, so one final share is \(\frac{1}{35}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 22
A \(\frac{1}{6}\)-liter sample is divided equally into \(4\) cups. Which model, a) or b), represents the amount in one cup? Find that amount as a fraction of a liter and explain your choice.
Figure for problem 540962

Hints

- Think about what happens to the size of a piece when a unit fraction is shared among several cups. - The quotient should be smaller than the original \(\frac{1}{6}\) liter. - Look for a model whose single shaded part has the correct size.

Solution

1. The division is \(\frac{1}{6}\div4\). 2. Splitting one sixth into \(4\) equal pieces creates \(24\) equal pieces in the whole liter, so one share is \(\frac{1}{24}\) liter. 3. Model a) shows one of \(24\) equal parts, so it represents one cup. Model b) shows \(\frac{4}{6}\), not the quotient.

Answer

Model a) is correct; each cup contains \(\frac{1}{24}\) liter. One sixth split into \(4\) equal shares makes \(24\) equal parts in the whole liter, so one share matches one of the \(24\) parts in model a).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 23
In each model, the whole bar represents one pan. In a), the shaded amount is shared equally between \(2\) people. In b), the shaded amount is shared equally among \(3\) people. Find both shares and state which is larger.
Figure for problem 540970

Hints

- Find the size of one equal share in each situation. - Both answers are unit fractions, so compare their denominators carefully. - Remember that a larger denominator means smaller equal parts when the numerator is \(1\).

Solution

1. In a), \(\frac{1}{4}\div2=\frac{1}{8}\). 2. In b), \(\frac{1}{6}\div3=\frac{1}{18}\). 3. Since \(\frac{1}{8}>\frac{1}{18}\), a person in a) receives the larger share.

Answer

a) gives the larger share: \(\frac{1}{8}\) compared with \(\frac{1}{18}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 24
A science video segment lasts \(\frac{1}{12}\) hour. It is divided into \(5\) equal clips. What fraction of an hour long is each clip? How many minutes is that?

Hints

- First find the size of one equal share of the original fraction of an hour. - After you have the fraction of an hour, use the number of minutes in one hour to interpret it.

Solution

1. Divide the unit fraction by the number of clips: \(\frac{1}{12}\div5=\frac{1}{60}\) hour. 2. One hour is \(60\) minutes, so \(\frac{1}{60}\) hour is \(1\) minute.

Answer

Each clip is \(\frac{1}{60}\) hour, or \(1\) minute, long.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 25
Tara says, “\(\frac{1}{5}\div2\) should be greater than \(\frac{1}{5}\) because division makes numbers bigger.” Use the model to explain why her claim is false, then find the quotient.
Figure for problem 540985

Hints

- Focus on what it means to share one fixed amount between two people. - Compare the size of one new share with the shaded amount you started with. - Use the model to think about how many equal pieces the whole would have after the split.

Solution

1. The shaded fifth is the amount being split into \(2\) equal shares. 2. Each share must be smaller than the original \(\frac{1}{5}\). 3. Splitting one fifth into \(2\) equal parts gives \(\frac{1}{10}\), so \(\frac{1}{5}\div2=\frac{1}{10}\).

Answer

Tara’s claim is false. \(\frac{1}{5}\div2=\frac{1}{10}\), which is smaller than \(\frac{1}{5}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 26
In each model, the whole bar represents one pan. In a), the shaded amount is shared equally between \(2\) people. In b), the shaded amount is shared equally among \(8\) people. Find both quotients and state which share is larger.
Figure for problem 541000

Hints

- Find the equal share produced in each situation. - Both answers will be unit fractions, which makes comparing them easier. - For unit fractions, think about how the denominator affects the size of one part.

Solution

1. In a), \(\frac{1}{8}\div2=\frac{1}{16}\). 2. In b), \(\frac{1}{4}\div8=\frac{1}{32}\). 3. Since \(\frac{1}{16}>\frac{1}{32}\), the share in a) is larger.

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{16}\) b) \(\frac{1}{32}\) The share in a) is larger.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 27
The whole bar represents \(1\) meter, and the shaded part is the strip being cut into \(7\) equal pieces. What fraction of a meter is each piece? Also explain what fraction of the original strip one piece represents.
Figure for problem 541016

Hints

- Keep separate the piece's length in meters and its size relative to the original strip. - One of \(7\) equal pieces is \(\frac{1}{7}\) of the strip, but the strip itself is only \(\frac{1}{9}\) meter. - Use multiplication to test whether seven copies of your length rebuild the strip.

Solution

1. Divide the original unit fraction by \(7\): \(\frac{1}{9}\div7=\frac{1}{63}\) meter. 2. Because the strip is divided into \(7\) equal pieces, one piece is \(\frac{1}{7}\) of the original strip. 3. Thus each piece is \(\frac{1}{63}\) meter and \(\frac{1}{7}\) of the starting strip.

Answer

Each piece is \(\frac{1}{63}\) meter, which is \(\frac{1}{7}\) of the original strip.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 28
A \(\frac{1}{3}\)-mile tunnel section is divided into \(4\) equal maintenance zones. Is each zone longer or shorter than \(\frac{1}{10}\) mile? Find the exact length of one zone and compare.

Hints

- First divide the original unit fraction into the stated number of equal zones. - Then compare the two unit fractions by considering the size of equal parts with different denominators.

Solution

1. One zone has length \(\frac{1}{3}\div4=\frac{1}{12}\) mile. 2. Compare \(\frac{1}{12}\) and \(\frac{1}{10}\). With the same numerator \(1\), the fraction with denominator \(12\) is smaller. 3. Therefore each zone is shorter than \(\frac{1}{10}\) mile.

Answer

Each zone is \(\frac{1}{12}\) mile long, which is shorter than \(\frac{1}{10}\) mile.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 29
A \(\frac{1}{11}\)-mile section of a trail is divided into \(9\) equal inspection zones. What fraction of a mile is one zone? Explain why the denominator of the quotient has the value it does.

Hints

- Start with one of the equal parts represented by the original unit fraction. - Think about how splitting that single part again changes the total number of equal pieces in the whole. - The quotient should be smaller than \(\frac{1}{11}\).

Solution

1. Divide the unit fraction by \(9\): \(\frac{1}{11}\div9=\frac{1}{99}\). 2. One eleventh of the mile is one of \(11\) equal parts. Splitting that part into \(9\) equal pieces makes \(11\times9=99\) equal pieces in the whole mile. 3. Therefore one zone is \(\frac{1}{99}\) mile.

Answer

One zone is \(\frac{1}{99}\) mile. The denominator is \(99\) because one of \(11\) equal parts is split into \(9\) equal pieces, making \(11\times9=99\) equal pieces in the whole mile.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 30
A \(\frac{1}{12}\)-mile segment is split equally into \(4\) parts. Is one part greater than or less than \(\frac{1}{50}\) mile? Find the exact share and compare.

Hints

- Divide the original unit fraction into the stated number of equal shares. - The result will still be a unit fraction. - Compare unit fractions by thinking about the size of equal parts with different denominators.

Solution

1. One share is \(\frac{1}{12}\div4=\frac{1}{48}\) mile. 2. Compare \(\frac{1}{48}\) and \(\frac{1}{50}\). For unit fractions, the smaller denominator gives the larger fraction. 3. Therefore \(\frac{1}{48}>\frac{1}{50}\).

Answer

One part is \(\frac{1}{48}\) mile, which is greater than \(\frac{1}{50}\) mile.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 31
A unit fraction is divided equally among \(4\) groups, and each group receives \(\frac{1}{44}\) of the whole. What was the original unit fraction? Explain using multiplication to reverse the division.

Hints

- Work backward by combining all of the equal shares. - Multiplication reverses the equal-sharing division. - Simplify the rebuilt fraction before stating the original unit fraction.

Solution

1. Four equal shares of \(\frac{1}{44}\) rebuild the original fraction. 2. Multiply: \(4\times\frac{1}{44}=\frac{4}{44}=\frac{1}{11}\). 3. Therefore the original division was \(\frac{1}{11}\div4=\frac{1}{44}\).

Answer

The original unit fraction was \(\frac{1}{11}\). Multiplication reverses the sharing: \(4\times\frac{1}{44}=\frac{1}{11}\), so \(\frac{1}{11}\div4=\frac{1}{44}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 32
The whole bar represents one container. The shaded amount is shared equally among \(4\) cups, and then \(3\) of the equal shares are poured together. What fraction of the whole container is in those \(3\) shares altogether?
Figure for problem 541085

Hints

- First find the size of one equal share of the original unit fraction. - Then combine the stated number of equal shares. - Simplify the resulting fraction of the whole container.

Solution

1. One cup share is \(\frac{1}{3}\div4=\frac{1}{12}\) of the whole container. 2. Three such shares contain \(3\times\frac{1}{12}=\frac{3}{12}=\frac{1}{4}\). 3. Therefore the combined amount is \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the whole container.

Answer

The \(3\) shares together make \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the whole container.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 33
Find these three quotients and explain why they are equal: a) \(\frac{1}{6}\div4\) b) \(\frac{1}{8}\div3\) c) \(\frac{1}{12}\div2\)

Hints

- Think about how the original denominator combines with the number of equal shares. - Compare the products formed by each denominator and whole-number divisor. - Equal final denominators produce equal unit-fraction quotients.

Solution

1. a) \(\frac{1}{6}\div4=\frac{1}{24}\). 2. b) \(\frac{1}{8}\div3=\frac{1}{24}\). 3. c) \(\frac{1}{12}\div2=\frac{1}{24}\). 4. In each case, splitting one unit-fraction part into the stated number of equal shares creates \(24\) equal parts in the whole because \(6\times4=8\times3=12\times2=24\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{24}\) b) \(\frac{1}{24}\) c) \(\frac{1}{24}\) They are equal because \(6\times4=8\times3=12\times2=24\), so each division creates \(24\) equal parts in the whole.
Divide unit fraction by whole number 34
Find \(\frac{1}{15}\div2\). Then explain why dividing a quantity by \(2\) gives the same result as taking one half of that quantity in this case.

Hints

- Think about what it means to divide one amount into two equal shares. - Compare that idea with selecting one of two equal parts of the same amount. - Check that both descriptions lead to the same unit fraction.

Solution

1. Split one fifteenth into \(2\) equal shares: \(\frac{1}{15}\div2=\frac{1}{30}\). 2. Taking one half of \(\frac{1}{15}\) gives \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{15}=\frac{1}{30}\). 3. Both operations find one of two equal parts of the original amount.

Answer

\(\frac{1}{15}\div2=\frac{1}{30}\). This is the same as \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{15}\) because both operations find one of two equal parts of the original \(\frac{1}{15}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 35
Sofia claims \(\frac{1}{9}\div8=\frac{1}{17}\) because \(9+8=17\). Explain why adding the denominator and divisor does not match equal sharing, then find the correct quotient.

Hints

- Interpret \(\frac{1}{9}\) as one equal part of a whole. - Subdivide that one part into the eight equal shares named by the divisor. - Check that the quotient is smaller than the amount being shared.

Solution

1. The original amount is one of \(9\) equal parts of a whole. 2. Splitting that one part into \(8\) equal shares makes \(9\times8=72\) equal shares in the whole, not \(9+8=17\). 3. Therefore \(\frac{1}{9}\div8=\frac{1}{72}\). 4. The quotient is smaller than \(\frac{1}{9}\), as an equal share must be.

Answer

Sofia's rule is incorrect. Equal sharing subdivides one ninth into \(8\) smaller equal parts, making \(72\) equal parts in the whole, so \(\frac{1}{9}\div8=\frac{1}{72}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 36
The whole bar represents one strip. The shaded part is shared equally among \(3\) teams, and each team’s share is split into \(4\) equal packets. What fraction of the whole strip is one packet? Show that this gives the same result as dividing the starting fraction by \(12\) at once.
Figure for problem 541067

Hints

- Follow the sharing process one stage at a time. - Count how many final equal packets result from the two stages together. - Compare the two-stage quotient with dividing by that total number of packets.

Solution

1. First share: \(\frac{1}{5}\div3=\frac{1}{15}\). 2. Split each share into \(4\) packets: \(\frac{1}{15}\div4=\frac{1}{60}\). 3. There are \(3\times4=12\) equal packets altogether, and \(\frac{1}{5}\div12=\frac{1}{60}\). 4. Both procedures give the same packet size.

Answer

One packet is \(\frac{1}{60}\) of the whole strip, and \(\frac{1}{5}\div12=\frac{1}{60}\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 37
Compare these equal-sharing situations: a) \(\frac{1}{7}\) of a whole is shared among \(4\) people. b) \(\frac{1}{8}\) of a whole is shared among \(3\) people. Which person receives the larger share? Find both quotients and explain why the smaller starting fraction can still produce the larger share.

Hints

- Find each equal share before comparing the situations. - Both answers are unit fractions, so their denominators can be compared directly. - Consider both the starting fraction and the number of people sharing it.

Solution

1. In a), \(\frac{1}{7}\div4=\frac{1}{28}\). 2. In b), \(\frac{1}{8}\div3=\frac{1}{24}\). 3. Since \(\frac{1}{24}>\frac{1}{28}\), b) gives the larger share. 4. Although \(\frac{1}{8}<\frac{1}{7}\), it is split among fewer people, which more than offsets the smaller starting amount.

Answer

b) gives the larger share: \(\frac{1}{24}\) compared with \(\frac{1}{28}\). The smaller starting fraction still gives the larger share because it is split among only \(3\) people instead of \(4\).
Divide unit fraction by whole number 38
A \(\frac{1}{8}\)-yard ribbon is shared equally among a whole-number number of students. Each share is greater than \(\frac{1}{56}\) yard but less than \(\frac{1}{40}\) yard. How many students share the ribbon? Explain why no other whole-number count works.

Hints

- Describe the denominator of one share using \(8\) and the unknown number of students. - For unit fractions, a larger denominator means a smaller value. - Find the multiple of \(8\) that lies strictly between the two benchmark denominators.

Solution

1. If the ribbon is shared among a whole-number count of students, each share has the form \(\frac{1}{8}\div\text{(student count)}\). 2. The final denominator is \(8\) times the student count. 3. For the share to lie strictly between \(\frac{1}{56}\) and \(\frac{1}{40}\), that denominator must lie strictly between \(40\) and \(56\). 4. The only multiple of \(8\) strictly between \(40\) and \(56\) is \(48\), and \(48=8\times6\). 5. Therefore \(6\) students share the ribbon, and each receives \(\frac{1}{48}\) yard.

Answer

\(6\) students; each share is \(\frac{1}{48}\) yard. No other whole-number count works because \(48\) is the only multiple of \(8\) strictly between \(40\) and \(56\).

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