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

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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

#1
+95356
+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

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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
+95356
+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?

Melody Oct 19, 2014