Dividing by a fraction
You learn to divide by a fraction by turning the second fraction upside down and multiplying.
How to work it out
- Keep the first fraction.
- Invert the second fraction.
- Change division to multiplication and calculate.
- Simplify, and write a mixed number if the top is bigger than the bottom.
12 ÷ 14
- Turn 14 upside down: 41.
- Multiply: 12 × 41.
- Multiply the tops and the bottoms: 1 × 4 = 4 and 2 × 1 = 2, so 42.
- It is 2 wholes: 21.
More examples
23 ÷ 14
- Turn 14 upside down: 41.
- Multiply: 23 × 41.
- Multiply the tops and the bottoms: 2 × 4 = 8 and 3 × 1 = 3.
- It is 83.
34 ÷ 12
- Turn 12 upside down: 21.
- Multiply: 34 × 21, which is 64.
- Simplify it: it is 32.