Be very careful! If you're just starting out learning how to divide fractions, remember this. You do not need to have a common denominator! And, you do not divide straight through-in the denominator or numerator.
Students have the tendency to do the following when the denominators are the same:
34÷14=3÷14=3434÷14=3÷14=34
is the wrong answer
or
34÷14=3÷14÷4=31=334÷14=3÷14÷4=31=3
Happens to be the right answer but the procedure is completely wrong. Which means you lucked out. If you apply the same procedure to a different set of fractions, the answer will most likely be incorrect.
Correct procedure
34÷14=34÷14=
34×41=34×41= [It’s always the right fraction that gets flipped and ÷÷ changes to ××]
3×44×1=3×44×1=3
Note:
After, becoming well versed in dividing fractions, you will see that there are times when you can divide straight through. That is,
𝑎𝑏÷𝑐𝑑=ab÷cd = does equal = 𝑎÷𝑐𝑏÷𝑑=a÷cb÷d
I believe others have posted why. But, if it's too much to remember just stick with the general procedure above.
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