Use Pictures and Arrays to Solve Division Problems

In this activity, we will be looking at division word problems. 

We will be counting in 2s, 5s and 10s and there will be pictures or arrays to help you work out the answers. 

 

Here are a few reminders about division.

When we share equally, it means that every group must have exactly the same number. We use this sign ÷ to show when we have shared equally. 

We can think of the division sign as meaning 'shared by'. 

 

 

Let's have a look through a word problem together. 

 

Xander's fish tank has broken. 

He has 10 fish and is going to give them to his 2 friends to look after.  

He needs to share the fish out equally between his 2 friends. 

How many fish will they each have to look after?

 

  

 

First of all, let's see what the division number sentence would be. 

There are 10 fish to start with and they get shared equally between 2 people:
10 ÷ 2 = 

 

Now we just need to work out how many fish they each got. These fish have been shared into 2 equal groups, how many fish are in each group?

There are 5 in each group, so our answer is 5. 

 

10 ÷ 2 = 5 

 

Xander's friends will each have 5 fish to look after. 

 

Are you ready to have a go at some questions now?