IXL | Divide fractions and mixed numbers: word problems

An artist made a sculpture out of fabric and wire supported by sections of plastic pipe. He used 3/4 of a yard of plastic pipe divided into 2 equal pieces. How long was each piece?

Simplify your answer and write it as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

yards

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Learn with an example

question

Candice bought a 5/6 of a pound of clay for the students in her pottery class. She then divided the clay into 5 equal pieces for her students to use for making vases and pots. How much did each piece weigh?

Simplify your answer and write it as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

pounds

key idea

Write mixed numbers and whole numbers as improper fractions. Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor.

solution

Divide the total weight of clay by the number of pieces.

Write

as an improper fraction:

Turn this from a division problem into a multiplication problem by multiplying by the reciprocal.

Cancel common factors, then multiply.

1 × 1

6 × 1

Each piece of clay weighed 1/6 of a pound.

Looking for more? Try these:

Lesson: Dividing fractions and mixed numbers

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

Divide fractions and mixed numbers

U.4Divide unit fractions and whole numbers: word problems

Lesson: Dividing fractions and mixed numbers

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