The idea, step by step
Sharing: find each share
To share 12 crackers fairly among 3 children, give one to each child in turns until none remain. Each child gets 4. The number of children is known; the size of each share is what we find.
Grouping: find how many groups
To pack 12 crackers with 3 in each bag, make a group of 3, then another, until none remain. Four bags are needed. The size of each group is known; the number of groups is what we find.
A common trap
Giving an answer without saying whether it counts groups or objects per group.
Instead: Read what is missing. Write units such as 4 bags or 4 crackers each.
See the thinking
Find a fair share
Share 10 counters equally between 2 children.
- Give each child one counter in turn.
- Each receives 5; check 5 + 5 = 10.
Find the number of bags
Pack 15 apples with 5 apples in each bag. How many bags?
- Make groups of 5: 5, 10, 15.
- There are three groups.
Check your understanding
Share 8 pencils equally among 4 children. How many pencils each?
Show answer
2 pencils each.
Four groups of 2 use all 8 pencils.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Share 6 grapes equally between 2 children.
- Share 12 counters equally among 3 plates.
- Pack 10 buttons in pairs. How many pairs?
- Make groups of 4 from 16 blocks. How many groups?
- Share 9 strawberries equally among 3 friends.
- There are 12 pencils. Story A shares them among 4 children. Story B puts 4 pencils in each cup. Give both answers with units.
Read the worked solutions
- Share 6 grapes equally between 2 children.
3 + 3 = 6.
3 grapes each. - Share 12 counters equally among 3 plates.
4 + 4 + 4 = 12.
4 counters on each plate. - Pack 10 buttons in pairs. How many pairs?
Count 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
5 pairs. - Make groups of 4 from 16 blocks. How many groups?
4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16.
4 groups. - Share 9 strawberries equally among 3 friends.
3 + 3 + 3 = 9.
3 strawberries each. - There are 12 pencils. Story A shares them among 4 children. Story B puts 4 pencils in each cup. Give both answers with units.
Both use groups of 4 and 3, but the question asks for a different kind of amount.
A: 3 pencils each. B: 3 cups.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Equal groups; arrays; repeated addition; sharing/grouping; twos facts; doubling and halving.
Official curriculum source ↗