Divide by 4 Using Halving and Halving Again

In this activity, we will be learning a method of dividing by 4 to find one quarter of a number.

 

One quarter means 1 out of 4 parts. 

So to find one quarter of a number, we need to divide it into 4 equal parts, as shown in this bar model. 

 

 

To work out a quarter of a number quickly, we can use a mental method to divide by 4.

 

First, we halve the number.

Then we halve that answer.

 

This diagram shows how to use this method to find one quarter of 24.

 

Half of	24	is	12
Half of	12	is	6
A quarter of	24	is	6
24 ÷ 4 =			6

 

Let's try an example question together. 

 

Example

Use this table to find 64 ÷ 4 by finding A and B.

  

Half of	64	is	A
Half of	A	is	B
A quarter of	64	is	B
64 ÷ 4 =			B

 

Answer 

First, we find half of 64. This is A.

A is worth 32.

 

Next, we find half of A (32), which is 16.

 

Half of	64	is	32
Half of	32	is	16
A quarter of	64	is	16
64 ÷ 4 =			16

 

So A is 32 and B is 16.

One quarter of 64 is 16.

 

 

Now that you know this method, it's time to try dividing some numbers by 4.

Good luck!