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KeyStage 2 Upper

Solve division problems presented within contexts

Lesson

Sharing

In our day to day life, we use division almost everywhere. We've looked at solving division problems with numbers, but what if our problem is not set out that way already?

Often, we need to identify some key words or phrases that tell us we need to solve a division problem, such as:

  • sharing equally
  • groups of
  • distributing equally
  • How much will each person get?

In Video 1, let's look at some written problems, and rewrite them as number problems. We also solve a problem where we need to change some of our information into a value we can use.

Finding the numbers

Sometimes you may need to read a written problem more than once, so you can identify the information that is useful. Once you have identified the information you need, you can solve the number problem. You may also find you end up with some remainder, just like this problem in Video 2.

Remember!

By thinking of the three parts of division, you can use the two parts you know, to find out the other one:

  • the total 
  • the number of 'groups'
  • how many 'items' per 'group'

Worked Examples

Question 1

A box of chocolates costs $£9$£9, and I have $£18$£18.

  1. Write a number sentence that shows how many boxes of chocolates I could buy. Use the $\left(\div\right)$(÷​) symbol.

  2. How many boxes of chocolates can I buy?

Question 2

Max's Motors sold $49$49 cars in a $7$7-day week.

  1. If they sold the same number of cars every day, write a number sentence to show how many cars they sold each day. Use the $\left(\div\right)$(÷​) symbol.

  2. How many cars were sold each day?

Question 3

A show bag costs $£7$£7.

  1. How many show bags can I buy with $£31$£31?

  2. How much money will I have left over?

 

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