Unit 7 — Beginning Division

Welcome back!

In the last lesson you learned that multiplication combines equal groups.

Today you will learn about division.

Division helps us share things fairly or separate them into equal groups.

Multiplication and division are closely connected.

Sharing Equally

Imagine you have:

12 cookies

and

4 friends.

If everyone receives the same number of cookies, how many does each person get?

We write:

12 ÷ 4 = 3

Each friend receives 3 cookies.

Division helps us share fairly.

Making Equal Groups

Division can also mean making equal groups.

Suppose you have:

15 apples

Place them into groups of 5.

How many groups can you make?

15 ÷ 5 = 3

You have made 3 equal groups.

Multiplication and Division Work Together

Look at these facts.

3 × 4 = 12

4 × 3 = 12

12 ÷ 4 = 3

12 ÷ 3 = 4

These are called a fact family.

Learning one multiplication fact helps you solve related division facts.

Solving Division Problems

Example:

18 ÷ 6

Ask yourself:

"How many groups of 6 make 18?"

Since:

6 + 6 + 6 = 18

The answer is:

3

So:

18 ÷ 6 = 3

Division in Everyday Life

We use division often.

Examples include:

• sharing snacks
• organizing teams
• arranging chairs into rows
• packing boxes
• sorting objects into equal groups

Division helps us organize things fairly and efficiently.

Activity

Draw 20 circles.

Separate them into:

• groups of 2
• groups of 4
• groups of 5

Write the matching division sentence for each drawing.

Practice

Solve these problems.

16 ÷ 2 = ______

20 ÷ 5 = ______

18 ÷ 3 = ______

24 ÷ 6 = ______

Write the multiplication fact that matches:

21 ÷ 7 = 3

Review

Today you learned:

• division means sharing equally
• division can also mean making equal groups
• multiplication and division are related
• fact families make math easier
• division helps solve everyday problems

Understanding multiplication and division together gives you powerful new mathematical tools.

Looking Ahead

Next we will explore measurement, time, and money.

You will discover how mathematics helps us solve practical problems every day.