Question

word problems (show your work)

1. 1/2 pound of birdseed is shared equally among 3 feeders. how much per feeder?
2. a rope is 3/4 mile long and cut into 2 equal pieces. how long is each piece?

Explanation:

Problem 1

Step1: Understand the problem

We have $\frac{1}{2}$ pound of birdseed to share equally among 3 feeders. So we need to divide $\frac{1}{2}$ by 3.

Step2: Divide the fraction

Dividing a number by another 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

Multiplying the numerators and denominators, we get $\frac{1\times1}{2\times3}=\frac{1}{6}$.

Problem 2

Step1: Understand the problem

A rope of length $\frac{3}{4}$ mile is cut into 2 equal pieces. We need to find the length of each piece, so we divide $\frac{3}{4}$ by 2.

Step2: Divide the fraction

Dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying by $\frac{1}{2}$. So $\frac{3}{4}\div2 = \frac{3}{4}\times\frac{1}{2}$.

Step3: Multiply the fractions

Multiplying the numerators and denominators, we get $\frac{3\times1}{4\times2}=\frac{3}{8}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{6}$ pound