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Lesson 1: Fractions as division

# Understanding fractions as division

Sal shows how a/b and a÷b are equivalent. That is, the fraction bar and the division symbol mean the same thing. Created by Sal Khan.

## Want to join the conversation?

• so we can do division or multiplecarion
• division is what were supposed to do
• If you still don't understand how to divide fractions. I will show you. There are 3 steps.
So say you were doing 1/3 divided by 6 or 6 divided by a third.
We will do 1/3 divided by 6 first.
Step 1: Keep the number 1/3
Step 2: Switch the division symbol to multiplication
Step 3: Find the reciprocal of 6. And its 1/6 so 1/3 times 1/6 is 1/18. Sometimes you need to simplify.
Now 6 divided by 1/3
Keep 6.
Turn to muliplication
Switch 1/3 to 3/1
its easier as 6/1x3/1 and that's 18/1 which can be reduced to 18
Hope this helped
• Bruh what I want to know is how to divide a fraction with a fraction that has a different denominator.
• just anotha day of khan making things complicated FOR NO REASON💯🔥🗣🙏
• Any tips? I would love that please! I still cant do it myself.
• Swap the numerator and the denominator, (the top and bottom numbers in a fraction) on the second fraction. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT DO IT FOR THE FIRST FRACTION. For example, 1/2 x 3/9, so it would be re-written as 1/2 x 9/3, and then you just multiply it, which would be 9/6, and then, you divide the numerator by the denominator, so just think, "how many times can 6 go into 9? And how much is left over?" So, if you were to do that, the answer would be 1 3/9, which, by the way, was you second fraction that you swapped. And, if you know how to, then you would simplify, and your final answer would be 1 1/3. (Oh, and by the way, the word for swapping the numerator and the denominator is called recipricals. So if you ever see that word in a test or a math question, then you know what it is.
• can we always do divison
(1 vote)
• Any two real numbers can be divided, to get a real number, except that we can’t divide by zero.

Have a blessed, wonderful day!
• sorry im a new one on khan ackademy
• me too I am new
(1 vote)
• i still dont get it
(1 vote)
• A fraction is always the result of dividing its numerator (top) by its denominator (bottom). For example, 2/5 is the same as 2 divided by 5.

Have a blessed, wonderful day!
• i just started division......is it ok if I get it wrong?
(1 vote)
• It’s okay to get problems wrong when you’re first learning a new skill, but there will be a time when you need to get them right. You will need to understand why you are getting problems wrong, so that you’ll know what needs to change in your thinking so that you get them right.

Have a blessed, wonderful day!