Division Word Problems

Understanding Division in Word Problems

Division is the process of splitting a number into equal parts or groups. In word problems, we often need to translate the scenario into a mathematical equation to find the solution.

Example Problem

Problem: Sarah has 24 apples, and she wants to share them equally among 6 friends. How many apples will each friend get?

Steps to Solve:

1. Identify the total number: Here, the total number of apples is 24.
2. Identify the number of groups: Sarah is sharing the apples with 6 friends.
3. Set up the division equation: We can express this as: $$\text{Number of apples per friend} = \frac{\text{Total apples}}{\text{Number of friends}} = \frac{24}{6}$$
4. Calculate the result: Dividing 24 by 6 gives: $$\frac{24}{6} = 4$$ So, each friend gets 4 apples.

Key Questions

• What do we need to find in this problem?
• How do we identify the total and the groups?
• What is the division equation that represents the problem?

Summary

When solving division word problems, remember to:

• Identify total quantities and groups.
• Set up your division equation clearly.
• Perform the calculation to find the solution.

By following these steps, you can tackle division word problems with confidence!