Solved Exercises on Division Word Problems in Grade 3

Master division word problems: sharing equally, grouping items, and finding unknowns through these 3 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Sharing equally
Exercise 1
Sarah has 12 apples. She wants to share them equally among her 4 friends. How many apples will each friend get?
Definition:

Division: Splitting a number into equal parts. It's the opposite of multiplication.

Division method:
  1. Identify the total amount (dividend)
  2. Identify how many groups or people (divisor)
  3. Divide the total by the number of groups
  4. Check your answer by multiplying
Total apples
12
Number of friends
4
Apples per friend
12 ÷ 4 = 3
Step 1: Identify the total amount

Sarah has 12 apples (this is our dividend)

Step 2: Identify the number of groups

She wants to share among 4 friends (this is our divisor)

Step 3: Perform the division

12 ÷ 4 = 3

Step 4: Verify the answer

3 × 4 = 12 ✓

Each friend gets 3 apples
Final answer:

Each friend gets 3 apples

Applied rules:

• Division: Splitting into equal groups

• Relationship: Division is inverse of multiplication

• Verification: Multiply quotient by divisor to get dividend

2 Grouping items
Exercise 2
There are 18 cookies. If each box holds 6 cookies, how many boxes are needed?
Definition:

Grouping: Finding how many equal groups can be made from a total amount.

Total cookies
18
Cookies per box
6
Number of boxes
18 ÷ 6 = 3
Step 1: Identify the total amount

There are 18 cookies (this is our dividend)

Step 2: Identify the group size

Each box holds 6 cookies (this is our divisor)

Step 3: Perform the division

18 ÷ 6 = 3

Step 4: Verify the answer

3 × 6 = 18 ✓

3 boxes are needed
Final answer:

3 boxes are needed

Applied rules:

• Grouping: How many equal groups of X can be made from Y?

• Division: Total ÷ Group size = Number of groups

• Verification: Number of groups × Group size = Total

3 Finding unknowns
Exercise 3
Tom divided his 24 stickers equally among some friends. Each friend got 8 stickers. How many friends did he share with?
Definition:

Finding the number of groups: When you know the total and the size of each group, find how many groups there are.

Total stickers
24
Stickers per friend
8
Number of friends
24 ÷ 8 = 3
Step 1: Identify what you know

Total stickers = 24, stickers per friend = 8

Step 2: Set up the division

Total ÷ Amount per group = Number of groups

24 ÷ 8 = ?

Step 3: Perform the division

24 ÷ 8 = 3

Step 4: Verify the answer

3 × 8 = 24 ✓

Tom shared with 3 friends
Final answer:

Tom shared with 3 friends

Applied rules:

• Unknown groups: Total ÷ Size per group = Number of groups

• Division: Use when you know the whole and part size

• Verification: Check by multiplying number of groups by part size

Visual Division Infographic
Division Concepts Visualized
🍎🍎🍎🍎
Sharing Equally
Splitting items into equal groups
📦📦📦
Grouping
How many groups of X can be made?
❓
Finding Unknowns
When one value is missing
Dividend ÷ Divisor = Quotient
Division Relationship
Key Concept: Inverse Operations
Division is the inverse of multiplication. If 3 × 4 = 12, then 12 ÷ 4 = 3 and 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
Division Keywords
Look for words like: share, divide, split, each, per, distributed, groups of, equal parts.
Division
Total ÷ Groups = Each
Sharing equally
Grouping
Total ÷ Size = Groups
How many groups?
Unknown
Total ÷ Each = Groups
Finding missing value
Division Methods, Rules, and Tips
Key definitions:

Dividend: The number being divided

Divisor: The number dividing the dividend

Quotient: The result of division

Remainder: What's left over (when not perfectly divisible)

Complete methodology:
  1. Read the problem: Identify keywords and numbers
  2. Understand the situation: Are you sharing, grouping, or finding unknowns?
  3. Set up the division: Identify dividend and divisor
  4. Perform the calculation: Divide and check for remainder
  5. Verify your answer: Multiply back to check
Tip 1: Draw pictures to visualize the problem (dots, circles, etc.)
Tip 2: Use multiplication facts to help with division.
Tip 3: Always check your answer by multiplying.
Tip 4: Look for clue words like "each", "per", "shared equally".
Common errors: Misreading the problem, forgetting to check work, confusing dividend and divisor.
Success strategies: Read carefully, draw pictures, use known multiplication facts.
Important rules to remember:

• Any number divided by 1 equals itself: 12 ÷ 1 = 12

• Any number divided by itself equals 1: 12 ÷ 12 = 1

• Zero divided by any number equals 0: 0 ÷ 12 = 0

• You cannot divide by zero: 12 ÷ 0 = undefined

• Division is the inverse of multiplication: If 3 × 4 = 12, then 12 ÷ 4 = 3

Questions & Answers

Question: I sometimes get confused about whether to use multiplication or division in word problems. How do I know which one to use?

Answer: Great question! Here's how to distinguish between multiplication and division:

  • Multiplication: Use when you know the size of each group and want to find the total. Example: "There are 4 boxes with 6 toys each. How many toys in total?" (4 × 6 = 24)
  • Division: Use when you know the total and want to find the size of each group or number of groups. Example: "There are 24 toys shared equally among 4 boxes. How many toys in each box?" (24 ÷ 4 = 6)

Think of it this way: Multiplication builds up (groups × items = total), while division breaks down (total ÷ groups = items per group).

Look for clue words:

  • Multiplication: "each", "times", "product", "total", "altogether"
  • Division: "shared equally", "divided among", "per", "each", "split"

Question: My child struggles with word problems. What visual strategies can help them understand division better?

Answer: Visual strategies are extremely effective for young learners! Here are proven approaches:

  • Drawing circles/dots: For "12 apples shared among 4 friends," draw 4 circles and distribute 12 dots equally among them
  • Using manipulatives: Counters, blocks, or small toys to physically divide into groups
  • Creating arrays: Organize items in rows to show equal groups visually
  • Bar models: Draw bars representing the total amount and divide into equal parts

Start with concrete objects, then move to drawings, and finally abstract numbers. This progression helps solidify understanding.

Encourage your child to sketch the problem before solving. Even a simple drawing of the scenario makes the operation clearer!

Question: How can I help students who make errors with division facts? They know the concept but struggle with the actual calculations.

Answer: Since division is the inverse of multiplication, strengthening multiplication skills helps with division. Here are targeted strategies:

  • Fact families: Teach 3 × 4 = 12, 4 × 3 = 12, 12 ÷ 3 = 4, 12 ÷ 4 = 3 together
  • Repeated subtraction: For 12 ÷ 3, count how many times you can subtract 3 from 12
  • Number lines: Jump backwards in equal intervals to visualize division
  • Pattern recognition: Notice relationships (dividing by 2 is halving, dividing by 10 moves decimal)

Provide multiplication charts as references initially. As students gain fluency, division facts become easier to recall.

Focus on small numbers first (÷2, ÷3, ÷5) before moving to larger divisors. Practice with games and timed drills to build automaticity.