Fair Sharing

Arithmetic · Axiom Academy

Divide a collection of counters into equal groups — the model behind division. When you split a pile of things into equal groups , you are dividing. There is nothing more to it than that — and you already know how to do it. Hand out cards, slices, or coins one at a time until everyone has the same amount, and you have just computed a division. Watch 8 counters get shared fairly among 2 people : one counter to each, then around again, until the pile is empty. Every group ends with the same number — and that number is the answer to 8 ÷ 2 . The size of each equal group is the quotient — that is all division asks for. Change the numbers and re-deal Drag the sliders to set how many counters you have and how many people share them. They are dealt out one to a person at a time, so every group always stays as even as possible. When the counters split evenly, the sharing is fair — that is when division comes out exact. A leftover of zero means it shared evenly — the division is exact. Anything left over is the remainder. However big the pile, the recipe is the same: hand out one to each person, go around again, and stop when the pile runs out. Whatever each person ends up holding is the answer to the division. Give one counter to each person, then repeat until the pile is empty. Count as you go to keep track. At the end, every person should have the same number.

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Arithmetic course.