Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions Practice Problems

Master dividing whole numbers by fractions and mixed numbers with step-by-step practice problems. Learn conversion techniques and solve division problems confidently.

📚Practice Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions
  • Convert whole numbers to improper fractions for division problems
  • Transform mixed numbers into improper fractions step-by-step
  • Apply the reciprocal method to solve fraction division
  • Solve whole number divided by fraction problems accurately
  • Master the three-step process for mixed number division
  • Simplify final answers and convert to mixed numbers when needed

Understanding Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions

Complete explanation with examples

Whole number division by a fraction and a mixed number

Dividing whole numbers by a fraction:

1)    Convert the whole number to a fraction
2)    Convert to a multiplication problem, remembering to swap the numerator and denominator of the second fraction
3)    Solve by multiplying fractions

Whole number division by a mixed number:

1)    Convert the whole number to a fraction
2)    Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction
3)    Convert the division problem to a multiplication problem, remembering to swap the numerator and denominator of the second fraction
4)    Solve by multiplying fractions

Detailed explanation

Practice Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions

Test your knowledge with 12 quizzes

\( \frac{5}{8}:2= \)

Examples with solutions for Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

13:3= \frac{1}{3}:3=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem 13:3 \frac{1}{3} : 3 , we will follow these clear steps:

  • Step 1: Understand that dividing by 3 is equivalent to multiplying by the reciprocal of 3, which is 13\frac{1}{3}.
  • Step 2: Convert the division problem 13:3\frac{1}{3} : 3 into a multiplication problem 13×13\frac{1}{3} \times \frac{1}{3}.
  • Step 3: Perform the multiplication of fractions:

Using the formula ab×cd=acbd\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \cdot c}{b \cdot d}, we have:

13×13=1133=19\frac{1}{3} \times \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1 \cdot 1}{3 \cdot 3} = \frac{1}{9}.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 19\frac{1}{9}.

Answer:

19 \frac{1}{9}

Video Solution
Exercise #2

12:2= \frac{1}{2}:2=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve 12:2 \frac{1}{2} : 2 , we need to rewrite the division as multiplication by the reciprocal of 2. The reciprocal of 2 is 12 \frac{1}{2} .

Thus, the expression becomes:

12×12=1×12×2\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1 \times 1}{2 \times 2}

Calculating the multiplication, we have:

14\frac{1}{4}

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 14 \frac{1}{4} , which corresponds to choice 3.

Answer:

14 \frac{1}{4}

Video Solution
Exercise #3

12:3= \frac{1}{2}:3=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem of dividing a fraction by a whole number, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Change the whole number to a reciprocal fraction.
  • Step 2: Multiply the original fraction by the reciprocal.
  • Step 3: Simplify the resulting fraction, if necessary.

Now, let's apply these steps:
Step 1: The whole number 33 is converted to the reciprocal fraction 13\frac{1}{3}.
Step 2: Multiply the fraction 12\frac{1}{2} by 13\frac{1}{3}:

12×13=1×12×3=16\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1 \times 1}{2 \times 3} = \frac{1}{6}

Step 3: The resulting fraction 16\frac{1}{6} is already in its simplest form.

Therefore, when 12\frac{1}{2} is divided by 33, the resulting answer is 16\frac{1}{6}.

Answer:

16 \frac{1}{6}

Video Solution
Exercise #4

12:4= \frac{1}{2}:4=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to compute 12÷4 \frac{1}{2} \div 4 . Here are the steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that dividing by 4 is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal, 14 \frac{1}{4} .
  • Step 2: Rewrite the division as a multiplication: 12×14 \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{4} .
  • Step 3: Perform the multiplication of fractions by multiplying their numerators and denominators. Thus, 1124=18 \frac{1 \cdot 1}{2 \cdot 4} = \frac{1}{8} .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 18 \frac{1}{8} .

Answer:

18 \frac{1}{8}

Video Solution
Exercise #5

1:14= 1:\frac{1}{4}=

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the division problem 1:14 1 : \frac{1}{4} , we will follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Express the division as a fraction operation: 1÷14 1 \div \frac{1}{4} .
  • Step 2: Use the invert-and-multiply rule. Find the reciprocal of 14\frac{1}{4}, which is 44.
  • Step 3: Multiply the whole number by the reciprocal: 1×4=4 1 \times 4 = 4 .

Thus, after performing these operations, we find that the result of the division 1:14 1 : \frac{1}{4} is 4 4 .

Answer:

4 4

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you divide a whole number by a fraction?

+
Follow three simple steps: 1) Convert the whole number to a fraction by putting it over 1, 2) Change division to multiplication and flip the second fraction (use its reciprocal), 3) Multiply the fractions by multiplying numerators together and denominators together.

What is the difference between dividing by a fraction and a mixed number?

+
When dividing by a fraction, you only need to convert the whole number to a fraction. When dividing by a mixed number, you must also convert the mixed number to an improper fraction before applying the reciprocal method.

Why do you flip the fraction when dividing?

+
Division by a fraction is the same as multiplication by its reciprocal. Flipping the fraction (switching numerator and denominator) gives you the reciprocal, which makes the math easier to solve.

How do you convert a mixed number to an improper fraction?

+
Keep the same denominator. For the new numerator: multiply the whole number by the denominator, then add the original numerator. For example: 2⅓ becomes (2×3+1)/3 = 7/3.

What should you do if the mixed number can be simplified?

+
Always simplify the fraction part of the mixed number before converting to an improper fraction. This makes calculations easier and reduces errors in your final answer.

How do you know when to convert your answer back to a mixed number?

+
If your final answer is an improper fraction (numerator larger than denominator), convert it to a mixed number for a cleaner presentation. Divide the numerator by the denominator to find the whole number and remainder.

What are common mistakes when dividing whole numbers by fractions?

+
Common errors include: forgetting to convert the whole number to a fraction, not flipping the second fraction, multiplying instead of using reciprocals, and forgetting to simplify the final answer.

Can you use cross multiplication for dividing fractions?

+
Cross multiplication works for solving proportion equations, but for dividing fractions, use the reciprocal method: multiply by the flipped version of the divisor fraction. This is the standard and most reliable approach.

More Dividing Mixed Numbers and Fractions Questions

Continue Your Math Journey

Topics Learned in Later Sections

Practice by Question Type