Dividing fractions by whole numbers

Dividing fractions by whole numbers Division means splitting or dividing into equal groups or parts. Division is one of the basic arithmetic operations in mathematics. Division is denoted by a cross sign . This mathematical operations is used between different types of numbers such as, integers, whole numbers, fractions, decimals and many more. A whole number is a non-negative, non-decimal number starting from zero. A fraction is a number that can be expressed in p/q form where q 0. Example 1: There is 3/2 liters of juice in a bottle. If the juice is to be distributed in 12 cups. How much juice will each cup have? Solution: Total quantity of juice = 3/2 liter. Number of cups = 12. Amount of juice in each cup = 3/2 12. (Change to multiplication by reciprocal of 12) This gives, 3/2 x 1/12 = 3/24 = 1/8. Hence, each cup contains 1/8 liter of the juice. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) What is the answer for the division between the following? 15/4 5 = --------- a) 3 b) 3/4 c) 1/5 d) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Explanation: Here 15/4 is the fraction and 5 is the whole number. Given 15/4 5 (Change to multiplication by the reciprocal of 15.) This gives 15/4 x 1/5 = 15/20. (The GCF of 15 and 20 is 5) So dividing by 5 for the numerator and the denominator. (15 5)/(20 5) = 3/4. Hence answer = 3/4.