Result: 12 divided into 3 equal groups gives 4 in each group.
Repeated Subtraction
Repeated Subtraction is useful when we know how many are in each group, and we want to discover how many groups we can make.
Example: We have 12 cookies. We give 3 cookies to each person. How many people get cookies?
12 − 3 = 9 (that’s 1 person)
9 − 3 = 6 (that’s 2 people)
6 − 3 = 3 (that’s 3 people)
3 − 3 = 0 (that’s 4 people)
We subtracted 3 a total of 4 times. So, 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
Which way is better?
Both ways give the same answer! Just a different use for each.
12 ÷ 3 = 4
- Fair Sharing: 12 items shared between 3 groups gives 4 in each group.
- Groups Of: 12 items in groups of 3 in each group makes 4 groups.
Fact Family
The numbers 3, 4, and 12 belong to the same fact family. Division and multiplication are closely connected.
- 3 × 4 = 12
- 4 × 3 = 12
- 12 ÷ 4 = 3
- 12 ÷ 3 = 4
Play with the Idea
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