MMati Learning Hub

TOPIC 4 · GRADE 3

Division and Fact Families

Interpret sharing and grouping, then connect every quotient to multiplication.

Grade 3 focus: Equal sharing, measurement grouping, multiplication/division relationships, and whole-number quotients.

BIG IDEA

Division can ask how many are in each group or how many groups can be made. Both meanings are checked by multiplication.

INTERACTIVE MATH LAB

Build it. Change it. Explain it.

MODEL 1 OF 3

MATH LANGUAGE

dividend
the total being divided
divisor
the number of groups or size of each group
quotient
the result of division
fact family
related multiplication and division equations

REPRESENT IT

  • sharing mats
  • equal groups
  • array
  • fact-family triangle

STRATEGY STEPS

  1. 1Identify the total and decide whether the unknown is group size or number of groups.
  2. 2Model the situation with counters, an array, repeated subtraction, or a number line.
  3. 3Use the related multiplication fact to find and check the quotient.
  4. 4Write the complete fact family to connect all four equations.

WATCH OUT

The divisor may describe the number of groups or the size of each group. The context tells which role it has.

TRY IT

Switch between sharing and grouping stories for the same equation and watch the model reorganize.

WORKED EXAMPLE

32 ÷ 4

  1. Interpret it as sharing 32 into 4 equal groups.
  2. Use the related fact 4 × 8 = 32.
  3. Each group contains 8, so 32 ÷ 4 = 8.
  4. The other related division fact is 32 ÷ 8 = 4.