Final answer:
To find the fraction of time Erin spent riding the personal watercraft, we need to compare the time she spent on it to the total time she was away. Erin spent 1(1)/(2) hours on her personal watercraft and 4(1)/(2) hours away from home. To find the fraction, we divide the time spent on the personal watercraft by the total time: 1(1)/(2) ÷ 4(1)/(2) = 1/3.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the fraction of Erin's time away spent riding the personal watercraft, we need to compare the time she spent on the personal watercraft to the total time she was away. Erin spent 1(1)/(2) hours on her personal watercraft and 4(1)/(2) hours away from home.
To find the fraction, we divide the time spent on the personal watercraft by the total time: 1(1)/(2) ÷ 4(1)/(2).
First, we convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions: 1(1)/(2) = 3/2 and 4(1)/(2) = 9/2.
Then, we divide the fractions: 3/2 ÷ 9/2 = 3/2 × 2/9 = 3/9 = 1/3.
Therefore, Erin spent 1/3 of her time away riding the personal watercraft.