Question

Silvia manages a sub shop and needs to prepare smoked turkey sandwiches. She has 1- lb of turkey in the cooler, and each sandwich requires001Ib of turkey. How many sandwiches can she make?

Answer 1

The total amount of turkey available to make the sandwiches is 1 1/2lb. Each sandwich requires 1/2lb of turkey. To determine how many sandwiches can be made you have to divide the total amount by the amount needed per sandwich:

`1(1)/(2)/(1)/(2)`

First, you have to express the mixed number as a fraction:

-Divide the whole number by 1 and add 1/2

`(1)/(1)+(1)/(2)`

-Multiply the first fraction by 2 to express it using the same denominator and add 1/2

`(1\cdot2)/(1\cdot2)+(1)/(2)=(2)/(2)+(1)/(2)=(2+1)/(2)=(3)/(2)`

Now you can write the division as follows:

`1(1)/(2)/(1)/(2)=(3)/(2)/(1)/(2)`

To divide two fractions, you have to multiply the dividend by the reciprocal (inverse) fraction of the dividend. So, switch 1/2 upside down and multiply both fractions:

`(3)/(2)/(1)/(2)=(3)/(2)\cdot(2)/(1)=(3\cdot2)/(2\cdot1)=(6)/(2)=3`

Silvia can make 3 sandwiches with the smoked turkey available.