Remind students how to multiply fractions before presenting fraction division. The first step in multiplying involves simplifying. For example, when multiplying 4/6 * 5/8, simplify 4/6 to 2/3 first, then multiply 2/3 * 5/8. When multiplying fractions, simply multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. Using the same example, multiply 2 * 5 = 10 and 3 * 8 = 24. The answer is 10/24; reduce this to 5/12.
Present students with a simple fraction division problem. For example, write 5/7 / 2/3 on the chalkboard. Remind students that division is the opposite of multiplication. Inverting (flipping) the second fraction and multiplying the fractions produces the division answer.
Demonstrate the division process on the chalkboard. Using the same example, 5/7 / 2/3 inverts to 5/7 * 3/2. When you multiply the numerators and denominators together, the answer is 15/14. Because this is an improper fraction, remind students to convert it to a mixed number, 1 1/14.
Explain how to divide whole numbers and fractions with an example. Write 7/10 / 2 on the chalkboard. Remind students that they can write a whole number as a fraction by placing a "1" as the denominator. Write 7/10 / 2/1 beneath the first equation. Demonstrate the inverting and multiplication process by writing 7/10 * 1/2 with the answer 7/20.
Show students how to divide mixed numbers. Write 3 1/2 / 1/4 on the chalkboard. Explain that the first step involves changing the mixed number to an improper fraction: 3 1/2 becomes 7/2. After changing the mixed number, invert and multiply: 7/2 * 4/1 = 28/2, which reduces to 14/1 or simply 14.