# simplify fractions

• May 6th 2008, 03:20 PM
BeBeMala
simplify fractions
simplify

(1/3 - 1/6) divide (2/5-1/3)

A) 2/3 b)15 c) 1/30 d)15/2
• May 6th 2008, 03:22 PM
Moo
Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBeMala
simplify

(1/3 - 1/6) divide (2/5-1/3)

A) 2/3 b)15 c) 1/30 d)15/2

Hello,

$1/3-1/6=2/6-1/6=1/6$

$2/5-1/3=../15-.../15$
• May 6th 2008, 03:26 PM
icemanfan
Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBeMala
simplify

(1/3 - 1/6) divide (2/5-1/3)

A) 2/3 b)15 c) 1/30 d)15/2

We want to break this problem down. The first thing that we'll need to do is the subtractions.

$\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{6} = \frac{2}{6} - \frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{6}$ so our numerator is $\frac{1}{6}$.

$\frac{2}{5} - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{6}{15} - \frac{5}{15} = \frac{1}{15}$ so our denominator is $\frac{1}{15}$.

When we divide by a fraction, we multiply by its reciprocal, so we have $\frac{1}{6} \cdot 15$, which is $\frac{5}{2}$.
• May 6th 2008, 03:33 PM
BeBeMala
Quote:

Originally Posted by icemanfan
We want to break this problem down. The first thing that we'll need to do is the subtractions.

$\frac{1}{3} - \frac{1}{6} = \frac{2}{6} - \frac{1}{6} = \frac{1}{6}$ so our numerator is $\frac{1}{6}$.

$\frac{2}{5} - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{6}{15} - \frac{5}{15} = \frac{1}{15}$ so our denominator is $\frac{1}{15}$.

When we divide by a fraction, we multiply by its reciprocal, so we have $\frac{1}{6} \cdot 15$, which is $\frac{5}{2}$.

you mean 15/2? because 5/2 is not a choice
• May 6th 2008, 03:41 PM
Moo
Quote:

Originally Posted by BeBeMala
you mean 15/2? because 5/2 is not a choice

The solution is 5/2... None of the ones you gave :/