3 divided by 7/8

Guri Bee

2 min read

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20-10-2024

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3 Divided by 7/8: Unpacking the Math

Have you ever encountered a division problem like 3 divided by 7/8? It might look a little intimidating, but don't worry, it's a common question that can be solved with a simple trick! This article will break down the process, explore the reasoning behind it, and offer a few real-world examples.

The Question: 3 ÷ 7/8

This problem is asking: how many times does 7/8 go into 3? To find the answer, we can use a handy rule: dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.

The Solution

1. Find the reciprocal of the divisor: The reciprocal of 7/8 is 8/7 (flip the numerator and denominator).
2. Multiply the dividend by the reciprocal: 3 * 8/7 = 24/7.
3. Simplify if necessary: 24/7 can be expressed as a mixed number: 3 3/7.

Therefore, 3 divided by 7/8 is equal to 3 3/7.

Why does this work?

Think about it this way: dividing by a fraction is like asking, "How many of these smaller pieces fit into the whole?" Multiplying by the reciprocal is like "scaling up" the pieces to make them whole units, making the division easier.

Real-World Application:

Imagine you have 3 yards of fabric and need to cut pieces that are 7/8 of a yard long. How many pieces can you make? The answer is 3 3/7 pieces!

Additional Insights:

• Important Note: Remember that dividing by a fraction less than one always results in a larger number. This is because you are essentially asking how many times a smaller unit goes into a larger unit.
• Fractions in Context: This concept is useful in various situations, from cooking to construction to even calculating the time it takes to complete a task.

Further Exploration:

If you want to delve deeper into dividing fractions, explore these resources:

• Khan Academy - Dividing Fractions
• Math Is Fun - Dividing Fractions

Keywords:

• Dividing fractions
• Reciprocal
• Multiplication
• Real-world applications
• Fractions in context

Attribution:

This article draws inspiration from the discussions on GitHub, where developers and mathematicians frequently share their knowledge and insights on various mathematical concepts. Special thanks to the contributors whose questions and answers formed the foundation for this explanation.