We are asked to do the following division and write the result in simplest form.
1/4Ă· 3/8
Recall that dividing fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.
1/4Ă· 3/8=1/4* 8/3
When we multiply fractions, we need to remember that the product of two fractions is equal to the product of the numerators divided by the product of the denominators. Let's multiply the fractions using this information!
The result written in simplest form is 23. Now we can fill in the blanks in the exercise.
1/4Ă· 3/8 = 2/3
Checking Our Answer
We can check our answer by finding the quotient using a calculator. However, most calculators will give the quotient as a decimal number. Because our answer is a fraction, we need to compare the quotient of the original fractions to the decimal that is equivalent to the final quotient that we found. First, let's find the decimal form of our quotient.
Now we will find the quotient of the fractions using the calculator. Remember to use parentheses around each of the fractions so that the order of operations is performed correctly! Calculators cannot read our minds, unfortunately.
Because the calculator found the same decimal for both calculations, we know that our answer was correct!
