From a part to the whole
You learn to work backwards: when you know how much a part is, find how much the whole is.
How to work it out
- First find what one piece is: divide by the number above the line.
- If there is a 1 on top, you already know one piece.
- Multiply one piece by the number under the line: that is the whole.
34
15 of the marbles is 6 marbles. How many marbles are there altogether?
- The numerator is 1: one piece is 6 marbles.
- The whole is 5 pieces: 5 × 6 = 30.
- There are 30 marbles.
15
More examples
34 of the children are 12 children. How many children are there altogether?
- Find one piece: divide by 3, because 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
- The whole is 4 pieces: 4 × 4 = 16.
- There are 16 children.
25 of the cards are 14 cards. How many cards are there altogether?
- Find one piece: divide by 2, because 14 ÷ 2 = 7.
- The whole is 5 pieces: 5 × 7 = 35.
- There are 35 cards.
25