word problem

[girlpower]

Erica bought 3 1/2 yards of fabric. If she uses 2/3 of the fabric to make a curtain, how much will she have left?

 

[girlpower]

Where did the 7/2 come from and how did you get that answer?

 

[JeffM]

Where did the 7/2 come from and how did you get that answer?

How many half yards are in one yard?

How many half yards are in two yards?

How many half yards are in three yards?

How many half yards are in three an one half hards?

Now do you see where 7/2 came from?

 

[HallsofIvy]

JeffM's answer is the best but do you not realize that 3= 6/2?

 

[girlpower]

Then, what is the next step to finding the final answer?

 

[harpazo]

Fraction Word Problem

Keep in mind that 3_1/2 = 7/2 as an improper fraction.
To get 7/2, multiply denominator 2 by whole number 3
and then add the numerator 1 keeping 2 as the
denominator. I hope this helps you understand where 7/2
came from.

 

[harpazo]

Solution To Yard Application

Then, what is the next step to finding the final answer?

This is a good/a bit tricky question: Now you could say that he used 2/3 so he now has 1/3 remaining, then: 7/2 * 1/3 = 7/6 yards remains or you can do it in two steps as: 7/2 * 2/3 = 7/3 yard used 7/2 - 7/3 = 21/6 - 14/6 = 7/6 yards remains in inches: 1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches, so: 7/2 yards * 36 = 126 inches 126 * 1/3 = 42 inches remaining. All the best.

 

[kalden]

how do we know there is 1/3 left

Where did the 7/2 come from and how did you get that answer?

how do we know there is 1/3 left

 

[mmm4444bot]

how do we know there is 1/3 left

Because 1/3rd is what remains of a whole, after subtracting 2/3rds from that whole.

 

[srmichael]

how do we know there is 1/3 left

Because it says 2/3 of the fabric was used.