Dividing Fractions: 1 1/6 Divided by 7/8
Dividing fractions can seem a bit daunting, but it's actually quite straightforward. Let's break down how to solve 1 1/6 divided by 7/8.
Step 1: Convert the Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction
- 1 1/6 can be converted to an improper fraction by multiplying the whole number (1) by the denominator (6) and adding the numerator (1). This gives us 7. We keep the same denominator, so 1 1/6 becomes 7/6.
Step 2: Flip the Second Fraction and Multiply
- The rule for dividing fractions is to flip the second fraction (the one you're dividing by) and multiply.
- So, instead of dividing 7/6 by 7/8, we'll multiply 7/6 by 8/7.
Step 3: Multiply the Numerators and Denominators
- Multiply the numerators (top numbers): 7 x 8 = 56
- Multiply the denominators (bottom numbers): 6 x 7 = 42
Step 4: Simplify the Result
- We now have the fraction 56/42. This can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, which is 14.
- 56 ÷ 14 = 4
- 42 ÷ 14 = 3
The Final Answer
Therefore, 1 1/6 divided by 7/8 is equal to 4/3.
Important Note: You can also leave the answer as an improper fraction (4/3) or convert it back to a mixed number (1 1/3). Both are correct!