Question

a biologist studied how cells grow by adding liquid protein to cell samples. she reported in her study that she divided 1/2 of an ounce of liquid protein evenly among 3 cell samples. how much liquid protein did she give to each cell sample? write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number. ounces

Explanation:

Step1: Set up the division problem

We need to divide \(\frac{1}{2}\) ounce of liquid protein among 3 cell samples. The operation is \(\frac{1}{2}\div3\).

Step2: Use the rule for dividing by a whole number

Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. So \(\frac{1}{2}\div3=\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{3}\).

Step3: Multiply the fractions

Multiply the numerators (\(1\times1 = 1\)) and the denominators (\(2\times3=6\)). So \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{3}=\frac{1\times1}{2\times3}=\frac{1}{6}\).

Answer:

\(\frac{1}{6}\)