3 divided by 2/5

Guri Bee

less than a minute read

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20-10-2024

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Dividing by Fractions: 3 Divided by 2/5

Dividing by fractions can seem tricky, but it's actually quite simple! Let's break down how to solve the problem: 3 divided by 2/5.

Understanding the Concept:

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. The reciprocal of a fraction is simply flipping the numerator and denominator.

Let's Apply It:

1. Find the reciprocal of 2/5: The reciprocal of 2/5 is 5/2.

2. Multiply 3 by the reciprocal: 3 x 5/2 = 15/2

3. Simplify (if possible): 15/2 is an improper fraction, so we can convert it to a mixed number: 7 1/2.

Therefore, 3 divided by 2/5 is equal to 7 1/2.

Why Does This Work?

Imagine you have 3 pizzas and you want to divide them into pieces that are each 2/5 of a whole pizza. This is the same as asking "How many 2/5 slices are there in 3 pizzas?"

By multiplying 3 by the reciprocal (5/2), we are essentially multiplying the number of pizzas (3) by the number of slices per pizza (5/2), giving us the total number of slices (15/2).

Practical Example:

Imagine you have a 3-foot long ribbon and you need to cut it into pieces that are each 2/5 of a foot long. Using the same logic as above, you'd find that you can cut 7 1/2 pieces from the ribbon.

Additional Tips:

• Visual aids: Using visual aids like diagrams can help you understand the concept more clearly.
• Practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with dividing by fractions.

Remember: Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal!