Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Vocabulary reciprocal multiplicative inverse One of two numbers whose product is 1. (flip a fraction over to find its reciprocal) One of two numbers whose product is 1.
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Reciprocals can help you divide by fractions. Two numbers are reciprocals or multiplicative inverses if their product is 1. The reciprocal of is 3 because 3 = 1313 3131 = 3333 = 1. Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. 6 ÷ 3 = = 2 same answer reciprocals
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers You can use this rule to divide by fractions.
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Example 1: Dividing Fractions Divide. Write each answer in simplest form. A ÷ ÷ 2525 = 3737 · 5252 = 3737 · 5 · 2 = or Multiply by the reciprocal of B ÷ ÷ = 3838 · 1 = 3838 · = Multiply by the reciprocal of Simplify.
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Divide. Write each answer in simplest form. A ÷ ÷ = 17 3 ÷ 5454 = 17 3 · 4545 = or Write mixed numbers as improper fractions. Multiply by the reciprocal of 5454 B ÷ ÷ = 3434 ÷ 5252 = 3 4 · 2525 = 3 · 2 4·5 1 2 = 3 10 Write 2 as an improper fraction Multiply by the reciprocal of Simplify.. Example 2: Dividing Mixed Numbers
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Example 3: Social Studies Application The life span of a golden dollar coin is 30 years, while paper currency lasts an average of 1 years. How many 1212 times longer will the golden dollar stay in circulation? 30 ÷ = 30 1 ÷ 3232 Write the number as an improper fraction. = 30 1 · 2323 Multiply by the reciprocal of = · Simplify = 20 1 or 20 The golden dollar will stay in circulation about 20 times longer than paper currency. ·
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Check It Out! Example 1 Divide. Write the answer in simplest form ÷ ÷ 1212 = 3535 · 2121 = 3535 · 2 · 1 = 6565 or Multiply by the reciprocal of. 1212
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Divide. Write each answer in simplest form ÷ ÷ = 3535 ÷ 7575 = 3 5 · 5757 = 3·5 5·7 1 1 = 3 7 Write 1 as an improper fraction Multiply by the reciprocal of Simplify. Check It Out! Example 2
Holt CA Course Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers Check It Out! Example 3 The average life of a queen ant is approximately 3 years. The life span of a worker ant is year. How many 3737 times longer will the queen ant live? 3 ÷ 3737 = 3131 ÷ 3737 Write the number as an improper fraction. = 3131 · 7373 Multiply by the reciprocal of = · Simplify = 7171 or 7 The queen ant will live 7 times longer than the worker ant. ·