How to Solve Word Problems Involving Dividing Fractions

A step-by-step guide to word problems involving dividing fractions

The word problems of fractions are made of a few sentences involving a real-life scenario and you must use the mathematical calculation of fraction formulas to solve a problem.

Here are easy steps to solve word problems involving dividing fractions:
Step 1: Use information and keywords to identify the problems.
Step 2: Invert the second fraction and multiply instead of dividing.
Step 3: Multiply the 2 numerators. Multiply the 2 denominators. If the problem contains mixed numbers, you must convert them to improper fractions first.
Step 4: Simplify the fraction if possible.

Word Problems Involving Dividing Fractions, Example 1

Karolina uses (frac{6}{8}) of a jar of cherry jam to make eight muffins. What fraction of the jar of cherry jam does each muffin contain?

Solution:
Step 1: Divide the total amount of a used cherry jam by the number of muffins, (frac{6}{8}÷8).
Step 2: Write 8 as an improper fraction, (frac{6}{8}÷frac{8}{1}).
Step 3: Invert the second fraction and multiply instead of dividing.
(frac{6}{8}×frac{1}{8}=frac{6×1}{8×8}=frac{6}{64})
Step 4: Simplify the product. (frac{6}{64}=frac{3}{32})

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Word Problems Involving Dividing Fractions, Example 2

Alice uses (frac{4}{6}) of a roll of wrapping paper to wrap five presents. What fraction of the roll wrapping paper does each present use?

Solution:
Step 1: Divide the total amount of a roll of wrapping paper by the number of presents. (frac{4}{6}÷5)
Step 2: Write 5 as an improper fraction. (frac{4}{6}÷frac{5}{1})
Step 3: Invert the second fraction and multiply instead of dividing.
(frac{4}{6}×frac{1}{5}=frac{4×1}{6×5}=frac{4}{30})
Step 4: Simplify the product. (frac{4}{30}=frac{2}{15})