ACT Math : How to divide fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Fractions

\dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{3}\div \frac{3}{5} =\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{3}\div \frac{3}{5} =\)

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{3}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{3}\)

\dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{5}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{5}\)

\dpi{100} \small \frac{3}{8}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{3}{8}\)

\dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{5}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{2}{5}\)

\dpi{100} \small \frac{5}{9}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{5}{9}\)

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{5}{9}\(\displaystyle \dpi{100} \small \frac{5}{9}\)

Explanation:

Cross multiply or multiply using the reciprocal of the second fraction. 

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Fractions

Simplify the following expression:

 \(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}\div\frac{5}{6}\)

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{9}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{9}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{5}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3}\div\frac{5}{6}=\frac{2}{3}\times\frac{6}{5}=\frac{12}{15}=\frac{4}{5}\)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example Question #3 : How To Divide Fractions

Evaluate the following:

\(\displaystyle 7\frac{1}{3}\div6\frac{2}{3}\)

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6\frac{1}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle 1\frac{1}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle 1\frac{6}{10}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{65}{60}\)

\(\displaystyle 1\frac{1}{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1\frac{1}{10}\)

Explanation:

Start by converting 71/to 22/3, and 6 2/to 20/3. We then multiply 22/3 by the reciprocal of 20/3, 3/20, and you get 66/60. This simplifies to 11/10.

Example Question #481 : Arithmetic

Solve.

 \(\displaystyle \small \frac{2}{5}\div \frac{1}{25}=\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{27}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{2}{5}\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \small \frac{1}{15}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

Explanation:

Remember, to divide a number by a fraction, multiply the number by the reciprocal of the fraction. In this case, \(\displaystyle \small \small \frac{2}{5}\div \frac{1}{25}=\frac{2}{5}\times \frac{25}{1}=\frac{50}{5}=10\)

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