Question

Help me plzzz

1. Divide a 5/14-inch line into three parts whose ratios are 1 : 2 : 3.

Can you explain how to do this?

Answer 1

Hi! Let's start with a slightly easier problem: Try dividing a 1-inch line into three parts whose ratios are 1:2:3. Any ideas about how you might do that?

Answer 2

(It's fine if you don't know!)

Answer 3

Um.... I have no Ideal

I'm sorry, I really am not good at math :(

Answer 4

No worries :) Here, let me draw a picture:

Answer 5

Thank you!!

Answer 6

OOOO I see now

Answer 7

Great! So if the whole line is 1 inch, how long is the bit that's marked "1" ?

Answer 8

There was a error in the question I typed; Its actually 5 1/4

Answer 9

Ah, ok. Still, let's do it with 1 inch first, and then we can do it for 5 & 1/4 inches.

Answer 10

Ok

Answer 11

So if the line is 1 inch long, then can you see from the picture (and with a bit of maths!) how long the first section is?

Answer 12

(If not, I can give you a clue!)

Answer 13

1/3 cm?

Answer 14

I feel so bad that I don't know this, gosh I feel so stupid

Answer 15

Don't worry, I remember when I was learning this stuff myself :) Everyone learns it eventually!

Answer 16

1/3 is close, but not quite right: if the first bit was 1/3, then the middle bit would be 2/3 and the last bit would be 3/3, so in total it would be 6/3 = 2 inches, whereas we only wanted 1 inch. Try again?

Answer 17

:)

Answer 18

ok, I'm thinking

Answer 19

Maybe this might help:

Answer 20

I've divided the longer bits into smaller ones, so that you have six equal bits.

Answer 21

Does that make sense, so far?

Answer 22

Yes it does, I'm just still thinking about it

Answer 23

This is my first time doing this type of math, sorry if im very slow

Answer 24

Don't worry!

Answer 25

3/6?

Answer 26

One of the bits is indeed 3/6. Which one?

Answer 27

The one in the middle of two

Answer 28

Actually it's the biggest one. The smallest one is 1/6, the middle one is 2/6 and the largest one is 3/6. If you add them all up, you should get 1 inch.

Answer 29

Does that make sense?

Answer 30

ooooo, That make so much sense

Answer 31

Great! Before moving on, I'd suggest we try a few more ratios, to help you feel more confident. Would that be ok?

Answer 32

Yes, of course! I want to be able to accually learn this! :D

Answer 33

I spelled actually wrong ._.

Answer 34

Excellent :) I'm going to use pizzas, cos they seem more relevant to me...

Answer 35

Ok, sounds good to me

Answer 36

Suppose you and your friend want to share a pizza by splitting it in a ratio of 1:1. How much pizza will each of you get? (As a fraction)

Answer 37

Would you like a hint?

Answer 38

Yes please

Answer 39

OK, you've got 1 pizza in total, and the "1:1" bit means that your share is the same size as your friend's share.

Answer 40

We would each get 1?

Answer 41

You've only got 1 pizza in total, so you can't each get 1! :)

Answer 42

You need to divide it so that your share is the same as your friend's share. That's what 1:1 means.

Answer 43

2

Answer 44

Hmm, maybe I should explain what a ratio actually is :)

Answer 45

I think you would agree that if you shared a pizza with your friend, then each of you would get half a pizza? So 1/2?

Answer 46

Yes, please explain further.
I might be right back because my mother called me for dinner

Answer 47

Hmm, okay I think I'll have to delay till tomorrow, cos I'm in a different timezone to you!

Answer 48

Oh, the answer as a fraction

Answer 49

I think i'm starting to learn this.

Answer 50

I'd suggest you go for dinner, I'll go to bed (it's after midnight in England!), and we can carry on with this tomorrow.

Answer 51

oh ok! Thank you for your time!

Answer 52

You're most welcome!