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Singapore Primary Maths

Primary 1 maths · Operations · About 8 minutes

Share or group equally within 20

Share one at a time. Compare the shares.

Start the interactive lesson →Practise: Sharing picnic

What you will learn

Models used: number sentences, stories, diagrams.

Before you start

Give everyone an equal share

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

  1. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

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

    Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Worked example: A new example, together

What is 12 ÷ 3?

  1. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

    Share one at a time. Compare the shares.

    Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.

  2. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

    12 ÷ 3 asks how many 3s make 12.

    Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.

    What is 12 ÷ 3?

    4

  3. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

    3 × 4 = 12.

    Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.

  4. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

    So 12 ÷ 3 = 4.

    Equal sharing means every share has the same amount. Check both conditions: the shares match, and all the starting objects are accounted for.

  5. Each plate is one share. Counters outside the plates have not been shared yet.

    Check the result against the question we started with.

    4 × 3 = 12.

    We found 4. Division finds how many equal-sized units make the total.

Common mistakes to discuss

Check your understanding

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.

Try this lesson →

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