Page 77 - Math Skill - 5

Fractions 75

Division of a Fraction by a Fraction
To divide a fraction by another fraction, we multiply the dividend by the reciprocal of
the divisor. Let’s learn through examples.

Let’s Attempt

2 3 8 2
Example 1: Find: ÷ Example 2: Find: 15 ÷3
21 7 9 3
3
Solution: Reciprocal of = 7 8 2 143 11
7 3 Solution: 15 ÷3 = 9 ÷ 3
9
3
So, 2 ÷ 3
21 7 Reciprocal of 11 = 3

1 3 11
2 7 2 13 1
= × =
21 3 9 143 ÷ 11 = 143 × 3 = 13 = 4 1

3 9 3 9 11 3 3
3 1
Division of a fraction by a number

To divide a given fraction by a number, we multiply the fraction with the reciprocal of the number.
3
For example, Let us divide: ÷ 12
11
1
3 3 1 1
÷ 12 = × =
11 11 12 44

4
5
1 25 25 1 5 2
Similarly, 8 ÷ = ÷ 5 = × = = 1
5
3 3 3 5 3 3
1
Division of a number by a fraction

To divide a number by a fraction, we multiply the number by the reciprocal of the fraction.
7 8 9
For example, 56 ÷ = 56 × = 72
9 7
1

Exercise 5.9

1. Write the reciprocal of:

2 1 1 13 3
(a) (b) (c) 5 (d) 2 (e) (f) 4
5 6 10 5 7