Mastering Division | Understanding Key Words and Phrases for Math Problems

Division Key Words

Division is a mathematical operation that involves splitting a number or a quantity into equal parts

Division is a mathematical operation that involves splitting a number or a quantity into equal parts. When solving division problems, it is important to understand key words and phrases that indicate the need to divide. Here are some common division key words:

1. Quotient: The result of division. For example, in the division problem 12 ÷ 3 = 4, 4 is the quotient.

2. Divide: This word explicitly indicates the need for division. For instance, “Divide 16 by 4” means to perform the division operation 16 ÷ 4.

3. Split: When something is described as being split, it suggests division. For instance, “Split the pizza between four friends” suggests that the pizza should be divided equally into four parts.

4. Share: When the term “share” is used, it often implies dividing or distributing something among a group. For example, “Share 20 marbles equally among five children” means that each child should receive the same number of marbles through division.

5. Ratio: Ratios involve comparing two quantities, and division is often used to express the ratio of one quantity to another. For example, a ratio of 3:2 can be written as 3 ÷ 2.

6. Per: When the word “per” is used, it typically implies dividing one quantity by another. For example, “words per minute” indicates the number of words divided by the number of minutes.

7. Average: To find the average of a set of numbers, you need to divide the sum of the numbers by the count of numbers. For example, to find the average of 10, 15, and 20, you add them up (10 + 15 + 20 = 45) and divide by 3 (because there are three numbers): 45 ÷ 3 = 15.

By recognizing these key words and phrases, you can identify when division is necessary in a problem and apply the division operation appropriately.

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