one number is 3/8 of another number

Guri Bee

2 min read

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20-10-2024

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Unlocking the Mystery: When One Number is 3/8 of Another

Have you ever encountered a math problem where one number is described as a fraction of another? This scenario often pops up in real-life situations, like comparing ingredients in a recipe or figuring out the discount on a sale. Today, we'll explore the concept of one number being 3/8 of another, and delve into how to solve problems involving this relationship.

Let's break it down:

Imagine you have two numbers, let's call them A and B. We know that A is 3/8 of B. This means that if we divide B into 8 equal parts, A would be equal to 3 of those parts.

Here's a visual representation:

B: [-----][-----][-----][-----][-----][-----][-----][-----]
A: [-----][-----][-----]

Key Questions and Answers:

Q: How can I find the value of A if I know B?

A: To find A, simply multiply B by 3/8.

Example: If B is 16, then A is (3/8) * 16 = 6.

Q: How can I find the value of B if I know A?

A: To find B, first determine what fraction A represents of B (which is 3/8). Then, divide A by that fraction.

Example: If A is 12, then B is 12 / (3/8) = 32.

Q: What if I'm given a relationship between A and B in a word problem?

A: Read the problem carefully to identify the relationship between the numbers. Translate the word problem into an equation using fractions or decimals. For example, if the problem states that "John's age is 3/8 of Mary's age," we can write this as:

• John's age = (3/8) * Mary's age

Practical Applications:

• Shopping: If a store offers a discount of 3/8 off the original price, you can calculate the sale price by multiplying the original price by 3/8 and subtracting that amount from the original price.
• Baking: If a recipe calls for 3/8 cup of flour and you want to double the recipe, you need to calculate 2 * (3/8) = 3/4 cup of flour.
• Construction: If you need to cut a piece of wood into 8 equal parts, you can calculate that 3/8 of the total length would be equal to the length of 3 of those parts.

Remember: Understanding the relationship between fractions and whole numbers is crucial for solving various problems in mathematics and everyday life. By applying these concepts, you can confidently tackle any situation where one number is a fraction of another.