Question

How to divide fractions

Answer 1

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. In other words, we can change the division sign to multiplication and flip the second fraction. Let's try an example.

`(1)/(2)` ÷
`(5)/(9)` can be rewritten as
`(1)/(2)` ×
`(9)/(5)`.

Now, we are simply multiplying fractions.

Multiply across the numerators and the denominators

`(1)/(2)` ×
`(9)/(5)` =
`(9)/(10)`

Therefore,
`(1)/(2)` ÷
`(5)/(9)` =
`(9)/(10)`

Answer 2

When dividing fractions, what you do, is turn it into multipcation. You use the multiplicitve inverse (reciprocal) to multiply.

For example:

3/7÷ 5/8 = 3/7×8/5