DIVISION: Problem 1

Rule 15: To divide a fraction by a whole number, or a whole number by a fraction, convert the division process to a multiplication process, and complete the following steps.

1.

Convert the whole number to a fraction

2.

Change the sign to and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.

3.

Multiply the numerators.

4.

Multiply the denominators.

5.

Reduce the results. (See Rule 10)

a.: Factor the product of the numerators.
b.: Factor the product of the denominators.
c.

Problem 1: Calculate tex2html_wrap_inline55

and reduce your answer.

Answer: The answer is

Solution: Rewrite 20 as a fraction in the problem. tex2html_wrap_inline59

Convert the problem to multiplication by changing the division sign to multiplication and inverting the fraction to the right of the sign.

Multiply the numerators, multiply the denominators, and leave the product in factored form.

Factor the numerator, factor the denominator, and locate the fraction that has a value of 1.

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Check: You can check your answer with your calculator. Calculate 10 divided by 8 and divide the result by 20. Now calculate 1 divided by 16. If the two answers are the same, you have correctly worked the problem.

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Author: Nancy Marcus