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T.6 Divide by 6: quotients up to 12

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What does it mean to divide by 6?

Division is splitting a total number of items into equal groups. When you divide by 6, you are finding how many equal groups of 6 you can make, or how many are in each group if you make 6 equal groups.

Example:
  • If you have 18 stickers and put them into 6 equal piles, each pile will have 3 stickers. So, 18 ÷ 6 = 3.
Note

Dividing by 6 is the inverse, or opposite, of multiplying by 6. If you know your 6s multiplication facts, you can use them to help you divide.

Understanding division facts for 6

A division fact is a basic equation showing a number divided by 6. The answer is called the quotient. We will work with quotients from 1 up to 12.

The division facts for 6:
  • 6 ÷ 6 = 1
  • 12 ÷ 6 = 2
  • 18 ÷ 6 = 3
  • 24 ÷ 6 = 4
  • 30 ÷ 6 = 5
  • 36 ÷ 6 = 6
  • 42 ÷ 6 = 7
  • 48 ÷ 6 = 8
  • 54 ÷ 6 = 9
  • 60 ÷ 6 = 10
  • 66 ÷ 6 = 11
  • 72 ÷ 6 = 12
Note

Look for patterns. Each quotient increases by 1, and each number being divided (dividend) increases by 6. This pattern comes from the multiplication table for 6.

How to find the quotient

To solve a division by 6 problem, you can use strategies like equal grouping, using multiplication facts, or repeated subtraction.

Strategy examples:
  • Think Multiplication: For 48 ÷ 6, ask yourself "What number times 6 equals 48?" Since 8 × 6 = 48, the quotient is 8.
  • Repeated Subtraction: For 30 ÷ 6, subtract 6 from 30 until you reach 0: 30 - 6 = 24, 24 - 6 = 18, 18 - 6 = 12, 12 - 6 = 6, 6 - 6 = 0. You subtracted 5 times, so the quotient is 5.
Note

The multiplication strategy is often the fastest. Memorizing the division facts listed above will make you a quicker and more confident math student.

Solving real-world problems

Division by 6 helps solve everyday problems involving fair sharing or creating equal groups of 6.

Example in a sentence:
  • "A baker has 42 muffins and wants to pack them into boxes that hold 6 muffins each. How many boxes does she need?"
  • Solution: The problem is 42 ÷ 6. From our facts, we know 42 ÷ 6 = 7. She needs 7 boxes.
Note

When reading a word problem, look for the total number (dividend) and the phrase "divided equally into 6 groups" or "groups of 6." This tells you to divide by 6.