✖️ Operations & Algebraic Thinking

Introduction to Division

Division splits a total into equal groups — the opposite of multiplication!

Division is the process of splitting a total into equal groups. If we have 12 cookies and want to share them equally among 3 friends, we divide: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. Each friend gets 4 cookies.

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Division asks: "How many equal groups can we make?" or "How many go in each group?"

12 stars shared equally into 4 groups:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

12 ÷ 4 = 3. Each group has exactly 3 stars.

12÷4=312 \div 4 = 3

Multiplication (joining)

4 groups × 3 each = 12 total

Division (splitting)

12 total ÷ 4 groups = 3 each

They are opposites! If 4 × 3 = 12, then 12 ÷ 4 = 3 and 12 ÷ 3 = 4.

🍕Sharing pizza slices
You have 20 pizza slices.
You want to give each person 5 slices.
20 ÷ 5 = 4
You can serve exactly 4 people!
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Remember This!

Think of division as the "undo" of multiplication. If you know 7 × 8 = 56, you automatically know 56 ÷ 7 = 8 and 56 ÷ 8 = 7!

✏️ Try It!

24 stickers are shared equally among 8 students. How many stickers does each student get?

Take Quiz 📝 — 25 Questions