Final answer:
The object described is one-eighth the size of a barrel bit because you multiply the two fractions, one fourth and one half, to get the size. The correct answer is option (a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the size of an object in relation to a barrel bit. It is said to be one fourth the size of a barrel bit and half the size of a barrel bit. To find the answer, we should visualize fractions, similar to how we would think about halves and quarters of a pie, or fractions of a dollar. Let's assume the full size of the barrel bit is represented by the number 1.
First, if the object is one fourth the size of a barrel bit, that would be represented by the fraction 1/4. Next, since the object is also described as half the size of a barrel bit, that would be 1/2. Now, what fraction would represent something that is both one fourth and half the size of another object?
To find this, we simply multiply the two fractions together:
1/4 x 1/2 = 1/8. Therefore, the object in question is one-eighth the size of a barrel bit, which corresponds to option (a).