standard_description: Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. (This standard is limited to problems posed with whole numbers and having whole number answers; students should know how to perform operations in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).)
problem_activity: Narrative
The purpose of this activity is for students to understand that the same division expression can be used to represent both types of division situations. Students are given two situations and asked to match a division expression to one of the situations, but the expression matches both situations given. It is okay if students do not recognize that the expression matches both situations in the activity, because it will be discussed in the activity synthesis. Students learn that the number we are dividing by is called the
divisor
and understand that the divisor can represent the size of the groups or the number of groups. When students explain that a divisor can be interpreted differently based on the situation it represents, they reason abstractly and quantitatively (MP2).
MLR2 Collect and Display.
Circulate and collect the language students use as they consider the two situations. Listen for and clarify any questions about the context. On a visible display, record words and phrases such as: put in groups, split, divide, number of groups, etc. During the synthesis, add “divisor” to the display and highlight connections to any related language.
Advances: Conversing, Reading
Launch
Groups of 2
“Let’s look a bit closer at division expressions. Take a minute to read these two situations.”
1 minute: quiet think time
Activity
“Work with your partner to decide which situation the expression represents.”
2–3 minutes: partner work time
Student Facing
Consider these two situations.
A. Han has 21 toy cars. He puts the same number of cars in each of 3 boxes. How many cars will be in each box?
B. Han has 21 toy cars. He wants to put 3 cars in each box. How many boxes will he need?
Which situation does the expression
\(21 \div 3\)
represent? Explain your reasoning.
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Student Response
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Activity Synthesis
Invite students to share their responses and reasoning.
“How can the same expression represent two different situations?” (Both situations involve the same numbers, 21 and 3. Both situations involve putting 21 objects into equal groups. In one case, the 3 is the number of objects in the group, but in the other, it is the number of groups. Both situations are talking about 21 divided by 3, just in different ways.)
“We noticed that the number that we are dividing by, 3, can have two different meanings. It can mean 3 groups or 3 objects in each group.”
“When we divide, the number we divide by is called the
divisor
. In the expression
\(27 \div 3\)
, the divisor is 3.”


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