DIVISION: Example 1

Rule 15: To divide a fraction by a whole number, or a whole number by a fraction, convert the division process to a multiplication process, and complete the following steps.

1.

Convert the whole number to a fraction

2.

Change the to and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.

3.

Multiply the numerators.

4.

Multiply the denominators.

5.

Reduce the results. (See Rule 10)

a.: Factor the product of the numerators.
b.: Factor the product of the denominators.
c.

Example 1: Multiply tex2html_wrap_inline51

Answer: The answer is 20.

Solution: Convert the 16 to the fraction

Now the problem tex2html_wrap_inline55

can be written tex2html_wrap_inline57

Change the division sign to multiplication and invert the fraction to the right of the sign.

Multiply the numerators and the denominators, but leave them in factored form. tex2html_wrap_inline61

Factor the numerator and the denominator and look for the fraction whose value is 1.

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Check: You can check the answer with your calculator. Calculate 4 divided by 5 and divide the answer into 16. If the result is 20, you have correctly worked this problem.

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