Fractions : Division
To divide fractions, multiply by their reciprocal. To find a reciprocal of a
fraction, flip the fraction over.
Fraction
5
6
Reciprocal
6
5
Fraction
21
21 
1
Reciprocal
1
21
Fraction
8

13
Reciprocal
13

8
The first fraction in the division problem stays the same. The second
fraction in the division problem gets changed to its reciprocal.
3
2 13 2 9
6
   
3 9 3 13 13
3 6 3 7 21  3 7
   

5 7 5 6 30  3 10
1
Another way we see division problem is in a fraction form. In that case the
top fraction stays the same. The bottom fraction gets changed to its
reciprocal.
7
4
3
5
7 3 7 5 35
    
4 5 4 3 12
9
2
6
5

9 6 9 5 45 15
   

2 5 2 6 12 4
*** The answer can be left as an improper fraction or can be changed back
to a mixed number. It depends on what the directions say. ***
Remember when working with whole numbers and fractions make the whole
number a fraction by placing the number over one.
4 5 7 35
5   
7 1 4 4
Tri-County Technical College
2
2 8 2 1 2
1
8     

3
3 1 3 8 24 12
May 2006
Created by Tonia Faulling