# Fractions problem

• May 1st 2008, 11:27 AM
sarahh
Fractions problem
How can I show that $\frac {3}{10}$ is $\frac {1}{7}$ of the way from $\frac {1}{4}$ to $\frac {3}{5}$?
• May 1st 2008, 11:34 AM
icemanfan
Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahh
How can I show that $3/10$ is $1/7$ of the way from $1/4$ to $3/5$?

First you need to find out the length of "the whole way" from $\frac{1}{4}$ to $\frac{3}{5}$, which you do by subtraction:

$\frac{3}{5} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{12}{20} - \frac{5}{20} = \frac{7}{20}$.

So what's 1/7 of 7/20? 1/20. So now the question becomes, is $\frac{3}{10}$ a distance of $\frac{1}{20}$ from $\frac{1}{4}$?

$\frac{3}{10} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{6}{20} - \frac{5}{20} = \frac{1}{20}$

• May 1st 2008, 11:39 AM
sarahh
But how would you prove it without using 3/10 to show it? If you didn't know it was 3/10?
• May 1st 2008, 11:44 AM
icemanfan
Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahh
But how would you prove it without using 3/10 to show it? If you didn't know it was 3/10?

We figured out that $\frac{3}{5}$ and $\frac{1}{4}$ are $\frac{7}{20}$ apart. So a number which is $\frac{1}{7}$ of the way from $\frac{1}{4}$ to $\frac{3}{5}$ is going to be a distance of $\frac{1}{20}$ from $\frac{1}{4}$. Therefore, the desired answer is $\frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{20} = \frac{5}{20} + \frac{1}{20} = \frac{6}{20} = \frac{3}{10}$.
• May 1st 2008, 11:49 AM
sarahh
Ahhh that makes sense. Thanks so much iceman!