We have FIVE cats that each ate 1/4 cup of canned food.
Then, the five of them together ate:
5 times 1/4 cup This in mathematical expression is a profduct of an integer value (5) times the fraction (1/4) which we know how to multiply based on the problems we solved a few minutes ago:
5 * 1/4 = 5/1 * 1/4 = (5 * 1) / (1 * 4) = 5/4 cups
This answer can also be written as a MIXED number given that 5/4 is an IMPROPER fraction (a fraction with numerator larger than the denominator)
5/4 = 1 1/4
Not sure what answer your teacher would prefer. It depends on whether he/she wants you to use fractions or mixed numbers.