fractions

[clark allison]

i'm looking for the steps for doing mixed number fraction "division"

 

[masters]

i'm looking for the steps for doing mixed number fraction "division"

Hi clark allison,

Let's see if I can give you a quick tutorial by using a specific example or two. You might want to see this reference or this one. There are bunches of sites that can help you.

Problem: \(\displaystyle 2\frac{1}{2} \div 3\frac{2}{3}\)

Step 1: Convert mixed fractions to impropper fractions.

\(\displaystyle 2\frac{1}{2}= \frac{4}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{5}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\frac{2}{3}=\frac{9}{3}+\frac{2}{3}=\frac{11}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2} \div \frac{11}{3}\)


Step 2: Dividing a number by another number is the same as multiplying that number by its reciprocal.

Change the operation to multiplication and use the reciprocal of the divisor.

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2} \div \frac{11}{3}=\frac{5}{2} \times \frac{3}{11}\)

Step 3: Multipliply the numerators and denominators together.

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2} \div \frac{11}{3}=\frac{5}{2} \times \frac{3}{11}=\boxed{\frac{15}{22}}\)

Step 4: Always make sure your final answer is reduced to its lowest terms. In this example, it is.

 

[Mrspi]

i'm looking for the steps for doing mixed number fraction "division"

Step 1: change each mixed number to an improper fraction

Step 2: divide the fractions

Example:

(3 1/8) / (1 2/5)

Step 1:
3 1/8 = (8*3 + 1)/8 = 25/8

1 2/5 = (5*1 + 2)/5 = 7/5

So now the problem is

(25/8) / (7/5)

Step 2: Remember that dividing by a fraction is the same as MULTIPLYING by the reciprocal of that fraction. So,

(25/8) / (7/5) = (25/8) * (5/7)

Multiply the fractions: (25 * 5) / (8 * 7) = 125/56

Change the result back to a mixed number if you wish.....

125/56 = 2 13/56