In a word problem, the phrase 'divided by' indicates which operation?

In a word problem, the phrase 'divided by' indicates which operation?

• A. Addition
• B. Division
• C. Multiplication
• D. Exponentiation

Answer: (B)

Division is the operation signaled by the phrase “divided by.” In word problems, it means splitting a total amount into equal parts or distributing items into a certain number of groups. The result tells you how many are in each part or in each group. For example, 18 cookies divided by 6 people means each person gets 3 cookies. This contrasts with the other operations—multiplication is about making repeated groups, addition is combining quantities, and exponentiation is repeated multiplication.

Division is the operation signaled by the phrase “divided by.” In word problems, it means splitting a total amount into equal parts or distributing items into a certain number of groups. The result tells you how many are in each part or in each group. For example, 18 cookies divided by 6 people means each person gets 3 cookies. This contrasts with the other operations—multiplication is about making repeated groups, addition is combining quantities, and exponentiation is repeated multiplication.