What Division Means · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Two ways to think about division

Mathematics · Multiplication & Division · ages 8-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which picture shows 12 ÷ 3?

    • 4 plates with 3 cakes on each
    • 3 cakes on one plate
    • 12 plates with 3 cakes on each
    • 4 cakes plus 3 cakes

  2. Which of these is one meaning of 56 ÷ 8?

    • Adding 56 and 8
    • Multiplying 56 by 8
    • Taking 8 from 56 once
    • Sharing 56 into 8 equal groups

  3. What can 12 ÷ 3 mean?

    • Sharing 12 into 3 equal groups, or making groups of 3
    • Only sharing 12 into 3 groups
    • Adding 12 and 3

  4. These 12 stars are split into groups of 4. How many groups are there?

    • 2
    • 3
    • 4

  5. Kai matched 15 ÷ 3 to the story 15 apples packed 3 to a bag. Is Kai right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  6. Sam has 16 apples and puts them into bags of 4 apples each. How many bags does he make?

    Answer: ______________

  7. What does 30 ÷ 5 mean as grouping?

    • 30 take away 5
    • How many groups of 5 fit into 30
    • 30 groups of 5
    • 5 groups of 30

  8. Make groups of 8 from 48 counters. How many groups?

    Answer: ______________

  9. Leo says: '56 ÷ 8 can only mean sharing 56 candies between 8 kids. It cannot mean anything else.' What is wrong with what Leo said?

    • Nothing, Leo is right
    • 56 ÷ 8 can also mean making groups of 8 candies and counting the groups
    • 56 ÷ 8 means adding 56 and 8

  10. Jo says 56 ÷ 8 can only mean sharing, never grouping. Is Jo right?

    Circle one:   True   False

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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Two ways to think about division W1-mt_iNdrM2-oJf-s1

  1. 4 plates with 3 cakes on each · 4 plates with 3 cakes on each shows 12 shared into groups of 3. The rest show 3, 36 and 7.
  2. Sharing 56 into 8 equal groups · Sharing 56 into 8 equal groups is one meaning of 56 ÷ 8.
  3. Sharing 12 into 3 equal groups, or making groups of 3 · Division can mean either sharing into a number of groups or making groups of a certain size.
  4. 3 · 12 stars in groups of 4 makes 3 groups. That's 12 ÷ 4 = 3.
  5. True · Kai is right: packing 3 to a bag is grouping, and 15 ÷ 3 = 5 bags.
  6. 4 · 16 ÷ 4 = 4 bags when you make groups of 4.
  7. How many groups of 5 fit into 30 · How many groups of 5 fit into 30 is the grouping meaning.
  8. 6 · 48 ÷ 8 = 6 groups.
  9. 56 ÷ 8 can also mean making groups of 8 candies and counting the groups · Division has two meanings: sharing into a number of groups, or making groups of a set size. Leo only thought of one.
  10. False · Jo is wrong: 56 ÷ 8 also means how many groups of 8 fit into 56.
Worksheet · LightMySky