We need help with a word problem. John's computer is 1/3 full. 1/2 of that is filled with pictures. How much is filled with pictures?

Question

We need help with a word problem. John's computer is 1/3 full.  1/2 of that is filled with pictures.  How much is filled with pictures?

anonymous · Answer

multiply the fractions.

anonymous · Answer

but why would you multiply?  It seems like you would be dividing.

anonymous · Answer

I think the answer to my question is 1/6, but my wife and daughter think it is 2/3.  Logically it should be 1/6 I think, but I think it is a division problem, but that doesn't make sense to me

anonymous · Answer

If you want two of something, you multiply two by that value: $$1oz \times 2 gives=2oz$$

If you look it that way, you want to find out how many "1/3rds" of Johns computer you'll get if you want 1/2 of it.  So you multiply to get 1/6.  Your answer is correct...but you didn't divide the fractions you multiplied them.  Or you could look at it as you divided the 1/3rd of johns computer by 2.