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when you multiply a fraction why do you not divide instead when there's a DIVISION SIGN in front.

 Oct 19, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+118587 
+5

Hello Kitty,

Lets think about what dividing by a fraction means.

$$\frac{3}{4}\div \frac{1}{4}$$

This means - how many how many    $${\frac{{\mathtt{1}}}{{\mathtt{4}}}}$$      size portions of cake can I have if I have a total of    $${\frac{{\mathtt{3}}}{{\mathtt{4}}}}$$    of a cake.

 

Well, there are 3 one-quarters in 3quarters of a cake so the answer is 3

---------------------------------------------------

NOW lets look at the numbers

$$\frac{3}{4}\div \frac{1}{4}\\\\
$ I have to turn the second one upside down and multiply$\\\\
=\frac{3}{4}\times \frac{4}{1}\\\\
=\frac{3}{\not{4}}\times \frac{\not{4}}{1}\\\\
=3$$

 

Does that help?       

 Oct 19, 2014
 #1
avatar+118587 
+5
Best Answer

Hello Kitty,

Lets think about what dividing by a fraction means.

$$\frac{3}{4}\div \frac{1}{4}$$

This means - how many how many    $${\frac{{\mathtt{1}}}{{\mathtt{4}}}}$$      size portions of cake can I have if I have a total of    $${\frac{{\mathtt{3}}}{{\mathtt{4}}}}$$    of a cake.

 

Well, there are 3 one-quarters in 3quarters of a cake so the answer is 3

---------------------------------------------------

NOW lets look at the numbers

$$\frac{3}{4}\div \frac{1}{4}\\\\
$ I have to turn the second one upside down and multiply$\\\\
=\frac{3}{4}\times \frac{4}{1}\\\\
=\frac{3}{\not{4}}\times \frac{\not{4}}{1}\\\\
=3$$

 

Does that help?       

Melody Oct 19, 2014

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