Dividing by 1

Quick answer

When you divide any number by 1, the answer is always the same number. This is because dividing by 1 means you are splitting the number into just one group, which is the whole number itself.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand that dividing any number by 1 gives you that same number back, and you will be able to explain why this is true.

• You can divide any number by 1 and get the same number.
• You can explain that dividing by 1 means one group of the number.
• You can use examples to show that dividing by 1 works the same for big numbers and small numbers.
• You can play a game to practice dividing by 1.

Why this matters

Understanding how dividing by 1 works helps you build a strong foundation for more complex maths. It shows you that some operations never change a number, which makes it easier to understand other division rules. This knowledge will help you in future maths, like working with fractions and solving bigger problems. You'll also use this idea when you're sharing things or dividing up items in your daily life.

How it works

When you divide a number by 1, you are asking:

1. How many groups of 1 can I make from this number?
2. How many items are in each group if I split them into 1 group?

Let’s look at this step by step:

1. If you have 5 apples and divide them by 1, you are making 1 group with 5 apples in it.
2. If you have 12 cookies and divide them by 1, you are making 1 group with 12 cookies in it.
3. When you split something into just one group, that group is the whole amount.

This is why dividing any number by 1 always gives you that number back.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples to see how dividing by 1 works:

You can also use a visual example to understand this:

• Imagine you have 6 toy cars and you put them all in one box. How many cars are in that box? That’s 6 cars. So, 6 ÷ 1 = 6.
• If you have 10 sweets and you put them all in one bag, how many sweets are in the bag? That’s 10 sweets. So, 10 ÷ 1 = 10.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are a treasure hunter in a magical land. You find a chest with 12 golden coins inside. You must divide them equally among your team. But your team only has one member – you! So you must divide the 12 coins by 1 to find out how many coins you get. How many coins do you get?

Let’s solve this together:

1. You have 12 coins.
2. You must split them among 1 person (yourself).
3. How many coins does that person get? That’s 12 coins!

So, 12 ÷ 1 = 12. You get all 12 coins!

Now, try this with a different number. What if you found 8 coins instead?

Try these:

1. 8 ÷ 1 = ?
2. 14 ÷ 1 = ?
3. 25 ÷ 1 = ?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that 5 ÷ 1 = 1.
• Why it happens: Confusing division with subtraction or thinking that dividing by 1 means “take away one”.
• Fix: Remember, dividing by 1 means making one group with all the items. So 5 ÷ 1 = 5.

• Mistake: Thinking that 10 ÷ 1 = 0.
• Why it happens: Mixing up dividing by 1 with dividing by 0, which is undefined.
• Fix: Remember, dividing by 1 means splitting into one group, not removing all items. So 10 ÷ 1 = 10.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child understand dividing by 1 is about making the idea clear and visual. Here are some tips:

• Use physical objects like counters, toys, or snacks to show how dividing by 1 works.
• Ask your child to explain what happens when you divide a number by 1.
• Play a game where you say a number and your child says what that number divided by 1 is.
• Reassure your child that it’s okay to make mistakes – they help us learn!
• Encourage them to think of real-life examples like sharing cookies or counting toys.

Remember, this is a simple rule, but it’s important for building confidence in maths. Don’t push too hard – let it sink in naturally through play and discussion.

Practice questions

1. What is 9 ÷ 1?
2. What is 13 ÷ 1?
3. What is 22 ÷ 1?
4. What is 30 ÷ 1?
5. What is 100 ÷ 1?

Answers:

1. 9
2. 13
3. 22
4. 30
5. 100

FAQ

What happens when you divide any number by 1?

When you divide any number by 1, you get the same number back. For example, 8 ÷ 1 = 8.

Why does dividing by 1 not change the number?

Because dividing by 1 means you are making one group with all the items. So, the group is the whole number.

Can you divide zero by 1?

Yes! Zero divided by 1 equals zero. So, 0 ÷ 1 = 0.

Is dividing by 1 the same as multiplying by 1?

Yes! Both operations leave the number unchanged. For example, 5 ÷ 1 = 5 and 5 × 1 = 5.

Does this rule work for big numbers too?

Yes! It works for any number, no matter how big. For example, 1000 ÷ 1 = 1000.