Division of Fractions

Mathematics is the study of patterns and general rule is derived on the observation of those patterns. So, while teaching any concept we should find the patterns through different activities and then derive the general rule on the base of the patterns.

Division of Fractions

What does we do, to find 6 ¸ 2, here we find how many 2 are there in 6, i.e. 3

So, 6 ¸ 2 = 3

Similarly consider the example of a fraction 3/4 ¸ 2/5

Here we have to find how many 2/5 are there in 3/4.

We have represent 3/4

So, we will take a shape and divide it into 4 equal parts and color 3 parts.

Again represent 2/5

So, we will take a shape (same) and divide it into 5 equal parts and color 2 parts.

Now we have to find, how many times 2/5 are there in 3/4 ?

Here we compare the how many times the yellow area (2/5) are there in light orange area (3/4), 

We found that that there is 1 complete 2/5 and 7/8 of 2/5 are there in 3/4.

So, there are (1+ 7/8) time 2/5 in 3/4.

Þ  There are 15/8 time 2/5 in 3/4.

Þ  3/4  ¸  2/5 = 15/8

If we will solve, some other problem relating to division of fraction, we will find a pattern in the result.

The patterns in the above example is

So, the general rule of division of fraction is