Word problems: real-life sharing
Division is everywhere: sharing sweets, packing boxes, booking minibuses for a trip. The trick is spotting that a problem needs division, then deciding what to do with any remainder.
Words that often mean divide
Four steps for any word problem
- Read it twice. What is being shared or grouped?
- Write the division sum. 30 children, 8 in each minibus → 30 ÷ 8.
- Work it out. 30 ÷ 8 = 3 r 6.
- Think about the remainder. Can 6 children stay behind? No! We need 4 minibuses.
Round up ⬆
When everyone or everything must fit in, you need one more: minibuses, boxes for all the books, tables for all the guests.
45 books, 10 per box: 45 ÷ 10 = 4 r 5 → 5 boxes.
Round down ⬇
When only complete groups count: full boxes, whole teams, outfits you can buy.
45 eggs, 6 per box: 45 ÷ 6 = 7 r 3 → 7 full boxes.
I always draw a quick picture if I get stuck. Boxes, plates, minibuses: it really helps!
Practise
Answer as many as you like. Every question is new, and you get a “correct” tick for each one you get right first time.
Quiz: earn your stamp
Printable worksheet
Word problems: real-life sharing worksheet. The questions are on the first page, and the answers for grown-ups are on the last page, so you can print just the first page for your child.
Printing is optional. A4 size.