Question

Cathy is making bows from a ribbon that is 11 1/5 yards long. She needs to cut the ribbon into equal pieces that measure 2/5 yard to make each bow. How many bows can Cathy make? Sam solved the problem below but got it incorrect. Explain Sam's error.

Answer 1

28 bows

Explanation:

Each bow is an equal piece.

1 bow = 2/5 yard

Total yard of ribbon = 11 1/5 yards

Hence:

2/5 yard = 1 bow

11 1/5 yards = x

2/5x = 11 1/5

x = 11 1/5 ÷ 2/5

x = 56/5 ÷ 2/5

x = 56/5 × 5/2

x = 28 bows

Therefore, Cathy can make 28 bows