Unit 5: Algebraic expressions

5.6 Division with pronumerals

EXAMPLE

Ilse is in a group of four students.

They each had the same number of counters.
They have placed all the counters
in one bucket.
How many counters did each student have?

If the total number of counters = N,

each student had N N ) counters.

1 The following quantities have been shared equally.

Write an algebraic expression for the amount that each student received.
a N
b n
c Y
d 12 cakes divided among n students
e 30 counters divided among x students
To simplify algebraic divisions,
divide the numbers first. EXAMPLES

Then divide (or cancel) the pronumerals. n÷2

Writing the division as a fraction = n = 10a
can make this easier. 2 a
= 3n =2

2 Simplify these divisions.

a 3
a
= b 10x = c m
=

d 18k ÷ 2 = e 32n ÷ 8 = f 20ab =

g 3a
3
= h ab
a
= i add =

j ac
2a
= k 2xy
xy
= l 12mn ÷ 3n =

m 10a = n 3m
12
= o y ÷ 30 =

p 3f
9f
= q 21ac
7c
= r xy ÷ 10y =

64 – Achieve! Maths – Graphs, number patterns and algebra © Paul Steenson and Blake Education 2010