Primary 2 maths · Operations · About 8 minutes

Use the division symbol

Name the whole, the number of groups and the size of a group before writing the sentence.

What you will learn

Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.

Share 12 counters between 4 children. Nobody has any yet.

Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Share 12 counters between 4 children. Nobody has any yet.
Sharing 20 among 5 is written 20 ÷ 5, not 5 ÷ 20. The whole comes first; the other number says how it is split.
Friend 1: 0
Friend 2: 0
Friend 3: 0
Friend 4: 0
Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Give each child one counter. Everyone must receive the same amount.
Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.
Friend 1: 1
Friend 2: 1
Friend 3: 1
Friend 4: 1
Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.
Keep going around. After three rounds, the counters are all shared.
Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.
None left
Friend 1: 3
Friend 2: 3
Friend 3: 3
Friend 4: 3
There are 4 groups, with 3 objects in each group. Count a group before counting them all.
Each child receives 3. Four equal shares of 3 make our original 12.
12 ÷ 4 = 3
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 4 × 3 = 12

What did the picture help us see?

Each child receives 3. Four equal shares of 3 make our original 12.

What is 27 ÷ 3?

The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share	Number of equal shares
27	3

The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Name the whole, the number of groups and the size of a group before writing the sentence.
Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
27 ÷ 3 asks how many 3s make 27.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3
What is 27 ÷ 3?
9
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
27 ÷ 3 asks how many 3s make 27.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
3 × 9 = 27.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
So 27 ÷ 3 = 9.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3
The unknown is the amount in one share. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
9 × 3 = 27.
We found 9. Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.
The unknown is the amount in one share.
Total to share Number of equal shares
27 3

Reading the symbol backwards. The number being shared is written first. “Share 20 among 5” is 20 ÷ 5, not 5 ÷ 20.

Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.

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