Final answer:
To divide fractions, the "Keep Change Flip" method involves rewriting the problem as multiplication, changing the division sign to multiplication, flipping the second fraction to its reciprocal, multiplying numerators and denominators, and finally, simplifying the result.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dividing Fractions Using the "Keep Change Flip" Method
To divide fractions using the "Keep Change Flip" method, you essentially convert the division problem into a multiplication problem by using the reciprocal of the second fraction. Here's a step-by-step explanation of this method:
- Rewrite the division problem as a multiplication problem.
- Change the division sign to a multiplication sign.
- Flip the second fraction, meaning you take the reciprocal of the second fraction (swap the numerator and the denominator).
- Simplify if possible, which means to reduce the fractions by dividing the numerator and denominator by any common factors before proceeding with multiplication.
- Multiply the numerators from the fractions together to get the new numerator.
- Multiply the denominators from the fractions together to get the new denominator.
- Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
For example, let's consider the problem ½ ÷ ⅓ (half divided by one-third). Using the "Keep Change Flip" method:
- Rewrite this as ½ × 3/1.
- Multiply the numerators: 1 × 3 = 3.
- Multiply the denominators: 2 × 1 = 2.
- The answer is ¾ after simplifying, as no further reduction is possible.
The key to remembering this method is in the phrase itself Keep Change Flip; the first fraction stays the same, the division changes to multiplication, and the second fraction is flipped.