Question

Why is the quotient of 3÷1/5 different from 1/5÷3? Tell a story that could describe each situation.

Answer 1

1) The quotient of 3 / 1/5 can be found by:

`3\colon(1)/(5)=\text{ 3}*(5)/(1)=3*5=15`

Note that the division of fractions reciprocates the 2nd fraction (divisor) and it is turned into a mu

And 1/5 : 3:

`(1)/(5)\colon3\text{ }\Rightarrow(1)/(5)*(1)/(3)=(1)/(15)`

Note that the divisor (when we have a fraction/fractions) is always reciprocated.

2) Suppose that we have 3 pieces of cake to be divided and each kid can only have 1/5 ( 20%) of the whole cake. Hence, the cake is going to be split into 15 pieces.

If we have 1/5 of that same cake and divide it equally to three people how much of the whole cake those people are going to have? Ans. 1/15

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