When solving word problems in math, certain words or phrases signal the need for division. Understanding these indicators can help you identify when to divide quantities to find the correct answer.
Some common words associated with division include:
- Divided by: This term directly indicates that a number should be divided by another. For instance, in the problem ‘There are 24 candies divided by 6 friends,’ you would perform the operation 24 ÷ 6.
- Per: When you see ‘per,’ it often implies division. For example, ‘The car travels 60 miles per hour’ indicates that the distance is divided by the time to find the speed.
- Out of: This phrase can also suggest division, such as in ‘Out of 100 students, 25 are in the band.’ Here, you might calculate the proportion of students in a specific group.
- Average: When asked to find an average, you typically divide the total sum by the number of items. For example, if the total score of 5 basketball games is 250 points, the average score per game is found by dividing 250 by 5.
- Each: This word often indicates a division scenario too. For example, ‘Each person received 4 cookies from a box of 20.’ To find how many people can be served, you would divide 20 by 4.
By recognizing these keywords in word problems, you can better navigate the division process and arrive at the correct solution. Practice identifying these terms in various problems, and you’ll become more proficient at solving them with confidence!