← Fractions for Grown-ups · Lesson 3 of 3
Dividing by a half
Dividing by a fraction puzzles many grown-ups because the answer gets bigger. Read 3 ÷ ½ as a question: how many halves fit in 3?
Draw three bars and cut each in half. There are six halves. So 3 ÷ ½ = 6. The rule "flip and multiply" gives the same answer, but the drawing shows why.
How many quarters fit in 2? That is, what is 2 ÷ ¼?
A lesson is kept once you've answered the question and written at least 8 words. Nobody grades it; it stays on this device.