Division as Unknown Factor
Understand division as an unknown-factor problem (e.g. find 32 ÷ 8 by finding the number that makes 32 when multiplied by 8)
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain that 32 ÷ 8 = ? is the same as 8 × ? = 32
- Use a known multiplication fact to find a division answer
- Describe the relationship between multiplication and division as inverse operations
1 · Read
You already know multiplication and division are connected. When you see 32 ÷ 8, you can turn it into a multiplication question instead: what number times 8 gives 32?
Zara needs to solve 32 ÷ 8. Instead of guessing, she thinks of her times tables: 8 × 4 = 32. So the missing number is 4, and 32 ÷ 8 = 4.
Multiplication and division are inverse operations: each one undoes the other. 5 × 4 = 20, and 20 ÷ 5 takes you back to 4. So you can turn any division into a multiplication with a missing number. 20 ÷ 5 becomes 5 × ? = 20. Then use a times table fact you know to fill the gap.
Division finds the missing factor: turn ÷ into × with a blank, then use your times tables to fill it in.
Readings 'Every division has a multiplication partner', 'Sharing or grouping' and 'Splitting a big division' are original to this dataset. All 9 extra questions are original to this dataset.
2 · Watch
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Where it sits
17 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.