Can We Share Class 3 NCERT — Chapter 12 Maths Guide

Welcome, young learners, to Chapter 12 of CBSE Class 3 Maths: Can We Share! Have you ever tried sharing a packet of chocolates equally with your best friends? If you have 10 chocolates and 2 friends, how do you make sure everyone gets an equal share? This chapter introduces you to the wonderful world of equal sharing and grouping, which is actually the beginning of Division! In this chapter, we will learn how to distribute things equally, how to make equal groups, and how to write simple division statements. By the end of this guide, you will master the concepts of division, solve NCERT textbook problems easily, and be able to divide any number of items using fun visual techniques. Let us jump right in and learn how to share fairly with YoLearn AI Tutor!

What is Equal Sharing and Division?

Equal sharing means distributing a total number of items into a certain number of groups such that every group gets exactly the same amount. For example, if we have 12 delicious apples and we want to share them equally among 3 children, we start distributing them one by one. In the first round, each child gets 1 apple (3 apples used). In the second round, each child gets another apple (6 apples used). We keep doing this until all 12 apples are finished. In the end, each child gets exactly 4 apples! Mathematically, we express this as: 12 ÷ 3 = 4. The symbol '÷' is called the division sign. Here, 12 is the total amount, 3 is the number of groups, and 4 is the size of each share. This shows that division is just sharing things out equally!

Two Easy Ways to Divide

  1. Method 1: Equal Sharing (Distributing) — Start with a total count of items and a fixed number of boxes/people. Hand out the items one by one into each box. Repeat this process until all items are distributed. Count how many items are in one box to find your answer.
  2. Method 2: Equal Grouping (Making Packets) — Start with a total count of items and a fixed packet size. Put the required number of items into the first packet, then the next, and so on, until all items are packed. Count the total number of packets you made to get your answer.
  3. Method 3: Writing the Division Statement — Combine the total count, group size, and number of groups into a division sentence. For example: Total (15) ÷ Group Size (5) = Number of Groups (3).

Step-by-Step Solved Examples

  • Example 1: There are 20 caterpillars. They want to divide themselves equally on 5 leaves. How many caterpillars will be on each leaf? Step 1: Identify the total number of caterpillars = 20. Step 2: Identify the number of leaves (groups) = 5. Step 3: Distribute 20 caterpillars equally onto 5 leaves. Step 4: Write the division sentence: 20 ÷ 5 = 4. Answer: There will be 4 caterpillars on each leaf.
  • Example 2: A balloon seller has 18 balloons. He gives them equally to 3 children. How many balloons does each child get? Step 1: Total balloons = 18. Step 2: Total children = 3. Step 3: Divide 18 by 3 to share them equally. Step 4: Think of the 3 times multiplication table: 3 × 6 = 18. Answer: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 balloons for each child.
  • Example 3: You have 15 laddoos and you want to pack them in boxes. Each box can hold 5 laddoos. How many boxes do you need? Step 1: Total laddoos = 15. Step 2: Number of laddoos per box = 5. Step 3: Divide the total by the packet size: 15 ÷ 5. Step 4: Think of the 5 times table: 5 × 3 = 15. Answer: You need 3 boxes to pack all the laddoos.

Quick Trick: Division is Reverse Multiplication!

Did you know that if you know your multiplication tables, division is super easy? Division is just multiplication in reverse! For example, if you want to find 24 ÷ 4, just ask yourself: 'What number multiplied by 4 gives 24?' Since you know 4 × 6 = 24, the answer to 24 ÷ 4 must be 6! Always use your multiplication tables to check your division answers quickly during exams.

Practice Questions with Solutions

  • Q: There are 24 bananas and 6 monkeys. If they share the bananas equally, how many bananas will each monkey get? A: Step 1: Find the total number of bananas = 24. Step 2: Find the number of monkeys to share with = 6. Step 3: Divide 24 by 6 to find each monkey's share: 24 ÷ 6. Step 4: Recall the 6 times table: 6 × 4 = 24. Final answer: Each monkey gets 4 bananas.
  • Q: A mother bird has 12 grains. She wants to distribute them equally among her 4 baby chicks. How many grains does each chick get? A: Step 1: Total number of grains = 12. Step 2: Number of chicks = 4. Step 3: Perform the division: 12 ÷ 4. Step 4: Recall the 4 times table: 4 × 3 = 12. Final answer: Each baby chick gets 3 grains.
  • Q: Rahul has 30 marbles. He wants to make packets of 10 marbles each. How many packets can he make? A: Step 1: Total number of marbles = 30. Step 2: Number of marbles in each packet = 10. Step 3: Divide 30 by 10 to find the number of packets: 30 ÷ 10. Step 4: Recall the 10 times table: 10 × 3 = 30. Final answer: Rahul can make 3 packets.
  • Q: If 35 cookies are shared equally among 7 kids, how many cookies does each kid receive? A: Step 1: Total cookies = 35. Step 2: Number of kids = 7. Step 3: Divide 35 by 7: 35 ÷ 7. Step 4: Recall the 7 times table: 7 × 5 = 35. Final answer: Each kid receives 5 cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does division mean in Class 3 maths?

In Class 3, division simply means sharing or grouping things into equal parts. It is the opposite of multiplication and helps us distribute items fairly.

What symbol is used for division?

We use the division symbol '÷' to show that we are sharing or dividing numbers. For example, 10 ÷ 2 means 10 shared into 2 equal groups.

How is division related to multiplication?

Division is the reverse of multiplication. If we know that 5 × 4 = 20, then we also know that 20 ÷ 4 = 5 and 20 ÷ 5 = 4.