Understanding Division by Repeated Subtraction
To divide 3 by 1/4 using repeated subtraction, we can visualize the process with shaded figures. This method helps to understand how many times 1/4 can fit into 3.
Step 1: Visualizing 3
- Imagine a whole (1) represented by a square.
- To represent 3, we can use three squares side by side.
Step 2: Understanding 1/4
- Each square can be divided into 4 equal parts.
- Therefore, each square has 4 shaded sections representing 1/4.
Step 3: Counting the 1/4 sections
- Each of the 3 squares can be divided into 4 shaded parts, giving us:
- Square 1: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
- Square 2: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
- Square 3: 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
- In total, we have:
- 4 parts from Square 1
- 4 parts from Square 2
- 4 parts from Square 3
- Total = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 parts of 1/4.
Step 4: Conclusion
- By repeated subtraction, we find that 1/4 can fit into 3 a total of 12 times.
- Therefore, 3 divided by 1/4 equals 12.
Using visual aids like shaded figures makes it easier to comprehend division, particularly with fractions, and reinforces the concept of repeated subtraction effectively.