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Ratios and Data 6-8 / Week 04 / Data Day
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Week 04 · Dividing Fractions

Data Day

Data Day: Scoop count
// How many pieces fit, and how much is in each
⏱ about 20 min

Data Day: Scoop Count

Saturday morning the crew packs Field Day kits at the kitchen table. "Six finish lines, eight kite tails," Raven reads.

Rocket holds up the 1/4 cup scoop. "Data Day challenge. Everyone in the house counts scoops."

"Predict first," says Raven. "What do you notice happens when the scoop gets smaller?"

"More scoops," says Rocket. "Dividing by a smaller fraction gives a bigger quotient."

Nova hovers over the sink, her light steady. "Pour over the tray," she says. "Spills are not data."

"And tomorrow?" Rocket asks. Nova hums. "Tomorrow the tape measure comes out."

  1. Dividing by a fraction asks how many of that fraction fit into the amount: 3 ÷ 1/4 = 12.
  2. On strips and number lines you can count the pieces. Each fourth holds 2 eighths, so 3/4 ÷ 1/8 = 6.
  3. The shortcut: flip the divisor and multiply. (a/b) ÷ (c/d) = ad/bc, so 2/3 ÷ 3/4 = 8/9.
  4. Mixed numbers go improper first: 7 1/2 ÷ 1 1/4 = 15/2 ÷ 5/4 = 6.
  5. Dividing by a fraction less than 1 makes the quotient bigger. Use that to check your work.
◇ SCOOP COUNT WITH A GROWN-UP
Pick a container: a bowl, a jug or a jar. Choose a scoop: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup or 1/2 cup.
Each person predicts how many scoops of water will fill the container to a chosen line.
Count the scoops together, pouring over a tray or the sink. Record the count.
Write the division sentence: amount ÷ scoop = count. Then swap to a different scoop and go again.
Compare: when the scoop got smaller, what happened to the count?
For a grown-up
This week your student divided by fractions: how many 1/4 cups fit in 2 cups, and 2/3 ÷ 3/4 = 8/9.
The method is flip the divisor and multiply. Ask them to show you why 3 ÷ 1/4 is 12 with a folded strip.
Water only, and nothing is tasted. The scoop count works with any measuring cup you have.
Safety first
Pour over a tray or the sink, and wipe spills right away so no one slips.
Water only. Nothing from the activity is tasted.
DATA DAY CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
A bowl holds 2 cups. How many 1/4 cup scoops fill it?
A jug holds 3 cups. How many 1/2 cup scoops fill it?
1/2 ÷ 3/4 = ?
3 ÷ 3/4 = ?
Draw your container with its fill line, and the scoops lined up beside it, one for each count.

Great counting, crew. Next week: decimals, long division, and the greatest common factor.

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