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2/5 divided by 4/3

2/5 divided by 4/3

2 min read 18-10-2024
2/5 divided by 4/3

Unraveling Division with Fractions: 2/5 Divided by 4/3

Dividing fractions can be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, it becomes a breeze. Today, we'll break down the steps involved in dividing 2/5 by 4/3, providing a clear understanding of the process.

Understanding the Concept:

Imagine you have a pizza cut into 5 slices, and you want to share 2 of those slices (2/5 of the pizza) equally among 4 friends. How much pizza does each friend get? This is the essence of dividing 2/5 by 4/3.

The "Keep, Change, Flip" Method:

The most common method for dividing fractions is known as "Keep, Change, Flip". Here's how it works:

  1. Keep the first fraction: 2/5
  2. Change the division sign to multiplication: ×
  3. Flip (find the reciprocal) of the second fraction: 3/4

Therefore, the problem becomes: 2/5 × 3/4

Multiplying Fractions:

Now that we've converted the division problem into multiplication, we simply multiply the numerators (top numbers) and the denominators (bottom numbers):

(2 × 3) / (5 × 4) = 6/20

Simplifying the Result:

Finally, we simplify the fraction 6/20 by finding the greatest common factor (GCD), which is 2. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 2, we get our final answer:

6/20 = 3/10

So, 2/5 divided by 4/3 is equal to 3/10.

Practical Application:

Understanding fraction division is essential in various real-life scenarios, such as:

  • Cooking: If a recipe calls for 2/5 cup of flour and you want to make 4/3 of the recipe, you need to divide 2/5 by 4/3 to find the required amount of flour.
  • Sewing: Calculating fabric requirements for a project involves dividing the total fabric needed by the amount available per piece.
  • Painting: Determining the amount of paint needed for a wall involves dividing the total area to be painted by the coverage of the paint per unit.

Additional Insights:

  • The reciprocal of a fraction is simply flipping the numerator and denominator. For example, the reciprocal of 4/3 is 3/4.
  • Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
  • Using visuals like pizza slices or other objects can make the concept of fraction division more intuitive.

By understanding the "Keep, Change, Flip" method and the concept of reciprocals, you can confidently divide fractions in any situation. Remember, practice makes perfect!

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