Question

How many yards of material from a 24-yard length of cloth remain after 3 pieces, each 31/2 yards long, and 5 pieces, each 21/4 yards long, are removed? I need help with the fraction part, answers have to be in fraction form, not decimal. Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, you can just convert to decimals to make it easier to work with then convert back to fractions at the end.

Answer 2

But if you want to work with fractions, just change 31/2 to quarters by multiplying top and bottom by 2.

Answer 3

Then you add up all the pieces and subtract it from the total, 24 yards (you'll need to convert that into quarters to by multiplying top and bottom by 4)

Answer 4

Do you understand?

Answer 5

Um I know that 3 * 3 ½ is how I am supposed to do this, when I do I get 9 3/2
and for the second part I know that 5 * 2 ¼ is 10 5/4.

Answer 6

Rule 1: Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions

Answer 7

Wait. Is the question asking about 3 1/2 and 2 1/4, not 31/2 and 21/4?

Answer 8

So 3 1/2=7/2 and
2 1/4 = 9/4

Answer 9

In that case, yes, you would have to convert to improper fractions, like Tajar said- just multiply the number at the side by the denominator and add it to the numerator.

Answer 10

Right

Answer 11

Rule #2: Translate the word problem into an equation

Answer 12

You've got 3 7/2 pieces and 5 9/4 pieces . Now, you just need to multiply those numbers together to get the number of pieces.

Answer 13

Here: 24 - [(7/2 x 3)] + [(9/4 x 5)] = solve!

Answer 14

Once you've multiplied them, you'll have to add them to get the total amount removed.

Answer 15

Since you want the total amount that remains, you'll have to then subtract the amount removed from the original amount.

Answer 16

That's Tajar's equation.

Answer 17

Hint: before solving, convert 24 to 96/4 and
21/2 to 42/4

Answer 18

3 * 3 ½ = 10 ½ yards
5 * 2 ¼ = 11 ¼ yards
Added
21 ¾ yards
24 yards - 21 ¾ yards = 2 ¼ yards left.
Is this correct?

Answer 19

Yes, that is correct.

Answer 20

I believe. You should get into the habit of not using mixed numbers, they're a pain.

Answer 21

Yes they are.

Answer 22

Final Rule: Convert any improper fractions in your FINAL answer back to MIXED NUMBERS.

Answer 23

Thanks for the help!

Answer 24

Yw :)