Division

Distinguish the amount in each share from the number of groups, and interpret quotients and remainders in context.

Meaning

Division can find each share when a total is shared equally, or the number of groups of a given size.

Example

Sharing 20 marbles equally among 5 people gives 4 per person. Grouping them in fives gives 4 groups.Four marbles for each of five people give 4×5=20; four groups of five also give 5×4=20. Multiplying the quotient by the divisor checks that the total is recovered.The calculation is the same, but the answer may count marbles or groups. Division by zero is undefined.

Practice for this concept

Scope and references

Topics

Equal sharing, finding the number of groups, quotients and remainders, the relationship between multiplication and division

Learning goal

Distinguish the amount in each share from the number of groups, and interpret quotients and remainders in context.

Helpful background

Distinguish the total amount, amount per group, and number of groups.

Sharing and counting groups

Does not include interpreting remainders or dividing large numbers.

Explore a concept