Unit Fraction Word Problems Worksheet Download - Free Printable

Let's go through each of the unit fraction word problems step by step and explain how to solve them. The goal is to understand the reasoning behind each answer, which are already provided in the answer key.

---

1) A bag of walnuts was 7 pounds. How many one-eighth of a pound servings are there in a bag?

We need to find how many $ \frac{1}{8} $-pound servings are in 7 pounds.

$$
7 \div \frac{1}{8} = 7 \times 8 = 56
$$

✔ Answer: 56

---

2) A small book took one-seventh of a ream of paper to make. How many books could be made with 3 whole reams of paper?

Each book uses $ \frac{1}{7} $ of a ream, so:

$$
3 \div \frac{1}{7} = 3 \times 7 = 21
$$

✔ Answer: 21

---

3) Rachel wanted her box of candy to last 3 days. If the box weighs one-fifth of a pound, how much should she eat each day?

Total candy: $ \frac{1}{5} $ lb
Days: 3

Divide equally:

$$
\frac{1}{5} \div 3 = \frac{1}{5} \times \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{15}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{15} $

---

4) A store had 2 boxes of video games. How many days would it take to sell the games if each day they sold one-half of a box?

They have 2 boxes, selling $ \frac{1}{2} $ box per day.

$$
2 \div \frac{1}{2} = 2 \times 2 = 4
$$

✔ Answer: 4

---

5) A water hose used one-third of a gallon of water every second. If Tiffany needs to fill up 9 gallon sized containers, how many seconds would it take?

Total water needed: 9 gallons
Rate: $ \frac{1}{3} $ gallon per second

$$
9 \div \frac{1}{3} = 9 \times 3 = 27
$$

✔ Answer: 27

---

6) A chef had 7 potatoes. How many bowls of mashed potatoes could he make if each bowl used one-quarter of a potato?

Each bowl uses $ \frac{1}{4} $ of a potato.

$$
7 \div \frac{1}{4} = 7 \times 4 = 28
$$

✔ Answer: 28

---

7) A group of 5 friends bought a one-quarter of a pound of bubblegum. If they split it equally, how much would each friend get?

Total gum: $ \frac{1}{4} $ lb
Number of friends: 5

$$
\frac{1}{4} \div 5 = \frac{1}{4} \times \frac{1}{5} = \frac{1}{20}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{20} $

---

8) Mike used one-quarter of a cup of sugar to make a pitcher of lemonade. If he were to pour the lemonade into 8 smaller glasses, how much sugar would be in each glass?

Total sugar: $ \frac{1}{4} $ cup
Divided into 8 glasses

$$
\frac{1}{4} \div 8 = \frac{1}{4} \times \frac{1}{8} = \frac{1}{32}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{32} $

---

9) An aquarium had 3 tons of fish food. How many months would it take them to use it all if they used one-quarter of a ton each month?

Total food: 3 tons
Monthly use: $ \frac{1}{4} $ ton

$$
3 \div \frac{1}{4} = 3 \times 4 = 12
$$

✔ Answer: 12

---

10) At a restaurant 8 people were at a table when the waiter brought out one-fifth of a bowl of cheese dip. If they split the bowl evenly, how much would each person get?

Total dip: $ \frac{1}{5} $ bowl
People: 8

$$
\frac{1}{5} \div 8 = \frac{1}{5} \times \frac{1}{8} = \frac{1}{40}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{40} $

---

11) A farmer was dividing up his one-seventh of an acre of land between his 4 children. Since each child got the same amount of land, what fraction of the acre did each get?

Land: $ \frac{1}{7} $ acre
Children: 4

$$
\frac{1}{7} \div 4 = \frac{1}{7} \times \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{28}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{28} $

---

12) A chef used one-sixth of a bag of potatoes for a meal. If the potatoes fed 9 people, what fraction of the bag did each person get?

Used: $ \frac{1}{6} $ of bag
Fed: 9 people

$$
\frac{1}{6} \div 9 = \frac{1}{6} \times \frac{1}{9} = \frac{1}{54}
$$

✔ Answer: $ \frac{1}{54} $

---

13) An artist was able to draw one-half of a picture every hour. If he needed to paint 8 pictures for an art show, how many hours would it take him?

Rate: $ \frac{1}{2} $ picture per hour
Total: 8 pictures

Time = $ 8 \div \frac{1}{2} = 8 \times 2 = 16 $

✔ Answer: 16

---

✔ Summary of Answers:

| Problem | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | 56 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | $ \frac{1}{15} $ |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 27 |
| 6 | 28 |
| 7 | $ \frac{1}{20} $ |
| 8 | $ \frac{1}{32} $ |
| 9 | 12 |
| 10 | $ \frac{1}{40} $ |
| 11 | $ \frac{1}{28} $ |
| 12 | $ \frac{1}{54} $ |
| 13 | 16 |

All answers match the answer key provided.

---

🔍 Key Concept:

These problems involve dividing by unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1), or dividing fractions in general. The rule is:

> To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal.

For example:
$ a \div \frac{1}{b} = a \times b $

This is especially useful in real-world contexts like splitting items, measuring portions, or calculating time.

Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or practice worksheet!