Lesson 6
Division as an Unknown Factor
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to relate multiplication and division and recognize division as an unknown factor problem.
Lesson Narrative
Previously, students learned to interpret and write division expressions. They connected division to multiplication informally, recognizing that both operations involved equal groups. In this lesson, students analyze related multiplication and division equations to formalize the relationship between multiplication and division. In the lesson synthesis, students learn that the result in a division equation is called a quotient.
- Engagement
- MLR7
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Explain the relationship between multiplication and division equations.
- Interpret division equations and multiplication equations with a missing factor.
Student Facing
- Let’s connect division equations to multiplication equations.
Required Preparation
Lesson Timeline
| Warm-up | 10 min |
| Activity 1 | 15 min |
| Activity 2 | 20 min |
| Lesson Synthesis | 10 min |
| Cool-down | 5 min |
Teacher Reflection Questions
In this lesson, students formally relate multiplication and division for the first time. How is their previous knowledge of multiplication and division supporting them in understanding this relationship?
Suggested Centers
- Capture Squares (1–3), Stage 6: Multiply with 1–5 (Supporting)
- Five in a Row: Multiplication (3–5), Stage 2: Factors 1–9 (Supporting)