How to explain division word problems in word problems to your child: Example question
31 October 2026
Many children find division word problems tricky at first. The key is to help your child spot when a question is asking for equal sharing or grouping. This simple example shows how to break down the problem into clear steps, making it easier to solve.
Worked example
Ben has 18 sweets. He wants to share them equally between 6 friends. How many sweets does each friend get?
Step 1: Write the division.
18 ÷ 6
Step 2: Work out the answer.
18 ÷ 6 = 3
Each friend gets 3 sweets.
Key insight: Division word problems are about sharing or grouping equally.
| Friend | Sweets |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 |
After working through this example, your child will start to recognise division word problems as situations where something is being shared out fairly. They can now try similar questions to build confidence and practise their new skills.
