Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Solve comparison and change problems using division

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can solve comparison and change problems using division.

      Key learning points

      1. A change in length can be described using division.
      2. Division can be represented as multiplication by a unit fraction.
      3. The stem sentence, 'The ___ is ___ times the length of the ___' can be used to support understanding.
      4. Comparison and change problems can be represented visually to support understanding.

      Keywords

      • Comparison - When a comparison is made, we are determining how different two objects are. In this case, how many times longer, taller or deeper an object is than another.

      • Change - A comparison can also be made between an object before, and then after, a change. Examples of a change include a change in height of a flower due to growth.

      Common misconception

      Children may say 'ten times shorter' which is imprecise. Children are more familiar with multiplication resulting in an increase, and need to appreciate that it can also result in a decrease.

      We say, 'ten times the original height' because this is more precise especially when the scale factor is fractional. When we multiply by a unit fraction, it is the same as dividing the whole by the denominator. This results in a decrease in length.

      Teacher tip

      Encourage children to say 'one-tenth times the length' rather than 'ten times shorter' to emphasise the link to multiplication. It is important that children are fluent with their times table facts so they can focus on the scaling structure without overload. Offer practical examples where possible.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which word or phrase completes the sentence: The green ribbon is ___ times the length of the white ribbon.

      An image in a quiz
      three
      two
      Correct answer: one third
      one half

      Q2.
      If the white ribbon is 39 cm long, how long is the green ribbon? The green ribbon is cm long.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 13, 13cm, thirteen

      Q3.
      The longer white ribbon is 36 cm long. How long is the shorter red ribbon? The red ribbon is cm long.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 18, eighteen

      Q4.
      The white ribbon is 36 cm long. How long is the shorter red ribbon?

      An image in a quiz
      33
      18
      Correct answer: 12
      10

      Q5.
      The longer white ribbon is 36 cm long. How long is the red ribbon?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 9, nine

      Q6.
      Which statements are represented by this image?

      An image in a quiz
      The blue ribbon is eight times the length of the white ribbon.
      Correct answer: The blue ribbon is one eighth times the length of the white ribbon.
      The white ribbon is one eighth times the length of the blue ribbon.
      Correct answer: The white ribbon is eight times the length of the blue ribbon.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A pencil was 15 cm long when it was new. It has been used and is now one third times its original size. Which image represents the change?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      The length of a model car is one tenth of the length of the real car. The real car is 4 m long. Which table represents the lengths of the cars?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Compare the height of the tree and the sunflower and the height of the dog. Which sentences could describe the image?

      An image in a quiz
      The dog is four times the height of the sunflower.
      Correct answer: The sunflower is four times the height of the dog.
      Correct answer: The dog is $${1}\over{4}$$ times the height of the sunflower.
      The sunflower is $${1}\over{4}$$ times the height of the dog.

      Q4.
      A pencil was 15 cm long when it was new. It has been used and is now one third times its original size. The pencil is now cm long.

      Correct Answer: 5, five, Five

      Q5.
      The length of a model car is one tenth of the length of the real car. The real car is 4 m long. Which calculations could you use to work out the length of the model car?

      4 m × 10 = 40 m
      Correct answer: 4 m ÷ 10 = 0.4 m
      Correct answer: 4 m × $${1}\over{10}$$ = 0.4 m
      Correct answer: 400 cm × $${1}\over{10}$$ = 40 cm

      Q6.
      The dog is $${1}\over{4}$$ times the height of the sunflower. Match the possible heights of the dog and the sunflower.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:Dog is 24 cm tall.,Sunflower is 96 cm tall.

      Sunflower is 96 cm tall.

      Correct Answer:Dog is 45 cm tall.,Sunflower is 180 cm tall.

      Sunflower is 180 cm tall.

      Correct Answer:Dog is 19 cm tall.,Sunflower is 76 cm tall.

      Sunflower is 76 cm tall.

      Correct Answer:Dog is 25 cm tall.,Sunflower is 100 cm tall.

      Sunflower is 100 cm tall.

      Correct Answer:Dog is 51 cm tall.,Sunflower is 204 cm tall.

      Sunflower is 204 cm tall.


      To help you plan your 5 maths lesson on: Solve comparison and change problems using division, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...