DIVIDING FRACTIONS TXT.
A fraction is a term used to refer to an expression that is used for the purposes of representing a part of a whole of an object. A fraction refers to many parts of different given sizes. For example: three quarters, one half, one third among others. A simple fraction like ½ is made up of an integer numerator that is placed above a line (it can also be used before a slash), and a non-zero integer that is placed below the line. It is referred to as the denominator. The application of numerators and denominators not only happens in common fractions but also in mixed, complex and compound fractions.
DIVISION OF FRACTIONS.
The division of fractions takes place in three simple steps:
For example: ½ ÷ 1/6 =?
Step 1. Write the reciprocal of the second fraction. (turn it upside down). This will give us 6/ 1.
Step 2. Perform a multiplication between the first fraction and the reciprocal of the second fraction.
½ x 6/ 1= 1 x 6 = 6, 2 x 1 = 2 therefore, it will be 6/2.
Step 3. Simplify the fraction.
6/2. Divide both the numerator and the denominator with a common factor. In this case, we divide by two. 6 ÷ 2 = 3 and 2 ÷ 2 = 1. Therefore, the answer is 3/1 which is equivalent to 3.
The term division is used to mean how many times an object can fit into another. In this case, for instance, the question is how many times does 1/6 fit into ½. For example: in case you are asked to solve 30 ÷ 6, it means, how many times does 6 fits into thirty. Since the answer is 5, it means that 6 fits into 30 five times. That’s why 6 x 5 = 30.
Example 2. 1/8 ÷ ¼ =?
Step 1. Find the reciprocal of the second fraction. This will give us 4/1.
Step 2. Perform a multiplication between the first fraction and the reciprocal of the second fraction. This will be performed as follows: 1/8 x 4/1 = numerator: 1 x 4 = 4. Denominator: 8 x 1 = 8. Therefore, the answer is 4/8.
Step 3. Simplify the fraction.
4/8 = ½.
FRACTIONS AND WHOLE NUMBERS.
The division between fractions and whole numbers is done by first of all changing the whole number into a fraction. This is done by putting the whole number over one. For example: if the whole number is 4, it will become 4/1. Then continue as in the examples above.
Example: 2/3 ÷ 5 =?
Step 1. Convert 5 into a fraction. 5 = 5/1.
Step 2. Find the reciprocal of the second fraction. That will be 5/1 = 1/5.
Step 3. Multiply. 2/3 x 1/5. Numerator: 2 x 1 = 2. Denominator: 3 x 5 = 15. Therefore, the answer is 2/15.
