Unit 2 · Standard 6.NS.1
Divide Whole Numbers by Fractions
Key Vocabulary Level 1 support
Picture first, then the word, then a plain-language meaning. Say each word out loud.
4 is a whole number; as a fraction it is 4/1
Whole Number
A counting number with no fraction or decimal, like 0, 1, 2, 3.
1/2 means 1 out of 2 equal parts — like cutting a sandwich in half and taking one piece
Fraction
A number that shows part of a whole, like 3/4.
The reciprocal of 2/3 is 3/2. Flip the fraction to divide: 6 ÷ 2/3 = 6 × 3/2
Reciprocal
A fraction turned upside down.
6 ÷ 1/3 → Keep 6, Change ÷ to ×, Flip 1/3 to 3/1 → 6 × 3 = 18
Keep, Change, Flip
A way to divide fractions: keep the first, change ÷ to ×, flip the second.
In 4 ÷ 1/2 = 8, the quotient is 8
Quotient
The answer when you divide.
Key Ideas & Notes
- Agent Park has 4 pounds of evidence powder.
- Each testing bag holds exactly 1/2 pound.
- He needs to prepare as many testing bags as possible before the lab deadline.
- How many bags can he fill?
- Use the number line to show how many 1/2-size jumps fit into 4.
Think About It
- How much total powder does Agent Park have?
- How much goes into each bag?
- Will the number of bags be more or less than 4?
My Notes
Guided Examples
Example 1
What is 6 ÷ 1/3?
Solution: 6 ÷ 1/3 = 6 × 3/1 = 18. There are 18 thirds in 6 wholes.
Answer: A. 18
Example 2
What is 3 ÷ 1/5?
Solution: 3 ÷ 1/5 = 3 × 5/1 = 15. There are 15 fifths in 3 wholes.
Answer: A. 15
Example 3
What is 10 ÷ 1/4?
Solution: 10 ÷ 1/4 = 10 × 4/1 = 40. There are 40 quarter-size pieces in 10 wholes.
Answer: A. 40
Write About the Math The Writing Revolution
I can explain my steps using the words fraction, reciprocal, quotient, and Keep, Change, Flip.
1. Kernel Sentence subject + verb
Model: Whole Number is a counting number with no fraction or decimal, like 0, 1, 2, 3.Número entero es un número de contar sin fracción ni decimal, como 0, 1, 2, 3.
Write a kernel sentence about whole number. Use a subject and a verb.Escribe una oración base sobre número entero. Usa un sujeto y un verbo.
2. Sentence Expansion because · but · so
Kernel: Whole Number matters in mathNúmero entero importa en matemáticas
Expand the kernel three ways. Add a reason, a contrast, and a result.
Whole Number matters in math because ___.Número entero importa en matemáticas porque ___.
Whole Number matters in math, but ___.Número entero importa en matemáticas, pero ___.
Whole Number matters in math, so ___.Número entero importa en matemáticas, entonces ___.
3. Sentence Types 4 ways to write a math idea
Tell one true fact about whole number.Di un hecho verdadero sobre whole number.
Whole number ___.
Ask a question about whole number.Haz una pregunta sobre whole number.
How does ___ ?¿Cómo ___ ?
Show excitement about whole number.Muestra entusiasmo sobre whole number.
Wow, ___ !¡Guau, ___ !
Tell a partner what to do with whole number.Dile a un compañero qué hacer con whole number.
First, ___ .Primero, ___ .
4. Explain Your Reasoning use a sentence starter
___ fits into ___ a total of ___ times.___ cabe en ___ un total de ___ veces.
I know because ___.Lo sé porque ___.
This is useful when ___.Esto es útil cuando ___.
Try It
Solve on your own. Check the answer key when you are done.
1. What is 5 ÷ 1/2?
- 10
- 5/2
- 2.5
- 7
2. What is 6 ÷ 2/3?
- 9
- 4
- 12
- 2/18
Stretch Your Thinking Level 2 enrichment
Challenge task — explain your reasoning in full sentences.
A pizza shop has 8 whole pizzas. Each serving is 2/3 of a pizza. How many servings can they make? Write and solve an equation, then explain why the answer is greater than 8.
Sentence starter: The equation is 8 ÷ 2/3 = ___. Using Keep, Change, Flip: 8 × 3/2 = ___. The answer is greater than 8 because ___.
Reflect — Exit Ticket
What is 9 ÷ 1/3?
- 27
- 3
- 9/3
- 1/27
Answer Key & Teacher Guide
- Try It 1: A. 10 — 5 ÷ 1/2 = 5 × 2/1 = 10. There are 10 halves in 5 wholes.
- Try It 2: A. 9 — 6 ÷ 2/3 = 6 × 3/2 = 18/2 = 9. Keep 6, change ÷ to ×, flip 2/3 to 3/2.
- Exit Ticket: A. 27 — 9 ÷ 1/3 = 9 × 3/1 = 27. There are 27 thirds in 9 wholes.
Writing (TWR) — what to look for
- Kernel sentence: A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb. Example: Whole Number is a counting number with no fraction or decimal, like 0, 1, 2, 3.
- Expansion: because gives a reason, but shows a contrast or exception, so shows a result. Answers vary; each must keep the kernel idea and add the correct kind of detail.
- Sentence types: Statement ends with a period, question with "?", exclamation with "!", and a command starts with an action verb (a "bossy" verb).