Sharing and grouping both come back to one idea. Every division is a multiplication fact with a piece missing.
Why it works
An array of 24 in rows of 6 is $\square \times 6 = 24$. Division asks for that missing number: $24 \div 6 = \square$. Multiplication puts groups together; division takes the total apart again. They undo each other, so any multiplication fact you know gives you a division fact for free.
Key idea
$24 \div 6$ asks: what number times 6 makes 24? Since $4 \times 6 = 24$, $24 \div 6 = 4$.
Worked example: Think multiplication
Find $24 \div 6$.
- Think: $\square \times 6 = 24$.
- $4 \times 6 = 24$.
Answer: $4$
Worked example: A harder fact
Find $56 \div 8$.
- Think: $\square \times 8 = 56$.
- You know $7 \times 8 = 56$.
Answer: $7$
Worked example: Count up if you need to
Find $36 \div 4$.
- Think: $\square \times 4 = 36$.
- If the fact does not come right away, count by 4s: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36. That is 9 fours.
- So $9 \times 4 = 36$.
Answer: $9$
Every division fact has a partner multiplication fact. As you learn your multiplication facts, you are learning your division facts at the same time.
Common mistake
Subtracting instead of dividing. $24 \div 6$ is not $24 - 6 = 18$. Check any division by multiplying: $18 \times 6$ is far more than 24, but $4 \times 6 = 24$ fits.