Ready-to-teach

Clear steps, examples, and practice in one printable page.

Misconception-proof

Highlights common mistakes and how to fix them quickly.

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Quick overview

This free fraction division worksheet for grades 5-6 teaches the keep-change-flip method with clear steps and practice problems.

Lesson plan snapshot

15-20 min

Warm-up (3 min): review reciprocals and fraction multiplication.
Model (5 min): solve the worked example using keep-change-flip.
Guided practice (5 min): complete problems 1-3 as a group.
Independent practice (7 min): finish the remaining problems.

Materials: fraction bars, pencil

Learning targets

Divide fractions by multiplying by the reciprocal.
Apply the 'keep-change-flip' method accurately.
Understand division as 'how many fit' or 'sharing equally.'

Step-by-step approach

1Keep the first fraction exactly as it is.
2Change the division sign to multiplication.
3Flip the second fraction (find its reciprocal).
4Multiply across and simplify.

Common mistakes

Mistake

Flipping the first fraction instead of the second.

Try instead

Only flip the divisor (the number after the ÷ sign).

Mistake

Flipping both fractions.

Try instead

Keep the first, flip only the second. Remember: Keep-Change-Flip.

Mistake

Dividing straight across like multiplication.

Try instead

Division requires the flip step. Dividing numerators and denominators separately doesn't work.

Worked example

Guided

Solve:

\frac{2}{3} \div \frac{1}{4} = ?

Keep: 2/3 stays the same.
Change: ÷ becomes ×.
Flip: 1/4 becomes 4/1.
Multiply: 2/3 × 4/1 = 8/3.
Convert if needed: 8/3 = 2 2/3.

Answer: 8/3 or 2 2/3

Related resources

Fraction multiplication

Multiply fractions straight across.

View resource

Fractions

Adding and comparing fractions.

View resource

Ratios

Ratios, proportions, and unit rates.

View resource

Practice problems

14 problems • 21 min

Printable worksheet

1
Solve: $\frac{5}{5} \div \frac{1}{5}$
2
How many 1/8 cup servings are in 3/4 cup?
3
Solve: 4 $\div \frac{1}{4}$
4
Solve: $\frac{6}{3} \div 3$
5
How many 1/4 servings are in 3/4 cup?
6
Solve: 6 $\div \frac{1}{3}$
7
Use keep-change-flip: $\frac{2}{6} \div \frac{1}{2}$
8
Solve: $\frac{3}{2} \div \frac{1}{2}$
9
How many 1/4 portions are in 1/2 cup?
10
How many 1/6 pieces are in 2/3 cup?
11
Solve: 2 $\div \frac{1}{4}$
12
Use keep-change-flip: $\frac{2}{5} \div \frac{3}{4}$
13
Solve: $\frac{4}{2} \div \frac{1}{2}$
14
Solve: 3 $\div \frac{1}{5}$

Answer key

14 answers

11) 5
22) 6
33) 16
44) 2/3
55) 3
66) 18
77) 2/3
88) 3
99) 2
1010) 4
1111) 8
1212) 8/15
1313) 4
1414) 15

Teacher tips

TStart with 'how many fit' problems: How many 1/4s fit in 2?
TUse number lines to visualize division by unit fractions.
TConnect to real situations: cutting ribbon into 1/2 foot pieces.

Parent tips

PUse the phrase 'keep-change-flip' as a memory aid.
PPractice with simple cases first: 1 ÷ 1/2 = 2 (two halves in one whole).
PAsk 'does the answer make sense?' - dividing by a small fraction gives a big result.

Open license

You are free to copy, adapt, and share these materials. No attribution required. Released under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (public domain).