Final answer:
The first step when multiplying mixed numbers is to convert them into improper fractions. To multiply them, multiply the numerators to get the new numerator and multiply the denominators to get the new denominator. In Alexis's case, she divided 1 3/4 pounds of apples among three friends, so each friend received 7/12 pounds of apples.
Step-by-step explanation:
When multiplying mixed numbers, the first step is to convert the mixed numbers into improper fractions. To do this, multiply the whole number by the denominator, then add the numerator. For example, if you have 2 1/2 as a mixed number, you would multiply 2 by 2 and add 1 to get 5. So, 2 1/2 becomes 5/2.
Once you have converted the mixed numbers into improper fractions, you can multiply them together. Multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator, and multiply the denominators together to get the new denominator.
Finally, simplify the resulting fraction if necessary by finding any common factors between the numerator and denominator.
In Alexis's case, she divided 1 3/4 pounds of apples among her three friends. To find out how many pounds of apples each friend received, you would divide 1 3/4 by 3. To divide mixed numbers, convert them into improper fractions, then divide the first fraction by the second fraction.
To convert 1 3/4 into an improper fraction, multiply 1 by 4 and add 3 to get 7. So, 1 3/4 becomes 7/4. Then, divide 7/4 by 3. To divide fractions, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction, which means flipping the numerator and denominator of the second fraction. So, dividing by 3 is the same as multiplying by 1/3.
Multiplying 7/4 by 1/3 gives us 7/12. Therefore, each friend received 7/12 pounds of apples.