Division is splitting a total number of items into equal groups or arranging them into equal rows in an array. It helps us answer questions about "how many in each group" or "how many groups."
When you see words like "share equally," "put into each," "divided among," or "split between," you are likely solving a division problem.
An equal groups problem involves dividing a total into several groups that each have the same number of items. You can find either the number of groups or the size of each group.
Identify what the problem is asking for. "How many bags?" means find the number of groups. "How many for each person?" means find the size of each group.
An array is an arrangement of objects into rows and columns where each row has the same number of items. Division can find either the number of rows or the number of columns.
An array is a visual model for division. The total number is the product of the rows and columns. If you know the total and one dimension, you can divide to find the other.
To solve a word problem, first identify the total, then determine if you are looking for the number of groups or the number in each group. This tells you which division equation to write.
Always check if your answer makes sense. If you find the number in each group, multiply it back by the number of groups. You should get the total you started with.
You can check a division answer by using the inverse operation, multiplication. This confirms that you split the total correctly.
Multiplication and division are related. If a ÷ b = c, then b × c must equal a. This is a reliable way to verify your solution.