In development
12 objects. 3 groups. How many in each?
A parent guide: use 12 counters and 3 plates. These numbers are a public example, not a child’s result.
12 ÷ 3 = 4 ● ● ●
Work it through
- Count all 12 objects and set out 3 empty groups.
- Place one object in each group in turn. One round uses 3 objects.
- After 4 rounds all objects are used. Each group has 4.
- 12 ÷ 3 = 4. Check: 3 × 4 = 12, with no remainder.
Common pitfalls
Three is the number of groups, not the number in each group. A split of 5, 4, 3 uses every object but is not equal. Ask “Do all groups have the same amount?” before calculating.
A small follow-up
Try 15 objects in 3 groups. What changes? Each gets one more object: 15 ÷ 3 = 5. Check: 3 × 5 = 15. If it feels difficult, return to sharing one at a time.