Word Problem Involving Fractions and Division

Three children share 2$\frac{1}{2}$ chocolate bars with each child getting the same amount. How much does each child get?

Solution

Step 1:

Number of chocolates that are shared = 2$\frac{1}{2}$ = $\frac{5}{2}$

Number of children = 3

Step 2:

The fraction of chocolate each child gets

= 2$\frac{1}{2}$ ÷ 3 =$\frac{5}{2}$ ÷ 3 = $\frac{5}{2}$ ÷ $\frac{3}{1}$

= $\frac{5}{2}$ × $\frac{1}{3}$ = $\frac{(5×1)}{(2×3)}$ = $\frac{5}{6}$

Four brothers inherit 30$\frac{1}{3}$ acres of land altogether. They decide to share it equally. How much land does each brother get?

Solution

Step 1:

Number of acres of land inherited = 30$\frac{1}{3}$ = $\frac{91}{3}$

Number of brothers = 4

Step 2:

The fraction of land each brother gets

= 30$\frac{1}{3}$ ÷ 4 = $\frac{91}{3}$ ÷ 4

= $\frac{91}{3}$ ÷ $\frac{4}{1}$ = $\frac{91}{3}$ × $\frac{1}{4}$

= $\frac{(91×1)}{(3×4)}$ = $\frac{91}{12}$ = 7$\frac{7}{12}$ acres

If it rained the same amount each day for 3 days and the total amount of rain received was 4$\frac{1}{3}$ inches, how much did it rain each day?

Solution

Step 1:

Total amount of rain received = 4$\frac{1}{3}$ = $\frac{13}{3}$

Number of days it rained = 3

Step 2:

The amount of rain received per day

= 4$\frac{1}{3}$ ÷ 3 = $\frac{13}{3}$ ÷ 3

= $\frac{13}{3}$ ÷ $\frac{3}{1}$ = $\frac{13}{3}$ × $\frac{1}{3}$

= $\frac{(13×1)}{(3×3)}$ = $\frac{13}{9}$ = 1$\frac{4}{9}$ inches