Question

A fossil bed in Indiana has a length of 5/8 miles and an area of about 1/4 square mile. What is the width?

Answer 1

2/5 = w

Explanation:

area = length x width

1/4 = 5/8w

isolate 'w' by dividing each side by 5/8

remember, when dividing fractions you must multiply by the reciprocal

1/4 x 8/5 = w

8/20 = w

simplify:

2/5 = w