Dividing Fractions

Dividing fractions involves multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

The reciprocal of a fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ is $$\frac{b}{a}$$ .

You multiply $$\frac{1}{2}$$ by the reciprocal of $$\frac{2}{3}$$ , which is $$\frac{3}{2}$$ . So, $$\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3}{4}$$ .

To divide $$\frac{2}{5}$$ by 3, you can write it as $$\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{15}$$ .

The lowest terms of $$\frac{6}{40}$$ is $$\frac{3}{20}$$ .

$$\frac{1}{2} \text{ divided by } \frac{1}{2} = 1$$ .

Change the division to multiplication by flipping the second fraction (taking its reciprocal).

The first step is to find the reciprocal of the second fraction.

To simplify a fraction means to reduce it to its lowest terms.

To divide a fraction by a whole number, multiply the fraction by the reciprocal of the whole number.