Introductory Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-805-X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-805-9

Chapter 1 - Section 1.2 - Fractions in Algebra - Exercise Set - Page 31: 138

Answer

The quotient of two fractions is the first fraction multiplied by the reciprocal of the second fraction. $\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}\div\frac{c}{d}=\frac{a}{b}\cdot\frac{d}{c}=\frac{a\cdot d}{b\cdot c}$

Work Step by Step

Two fractions are reciprocals of each other if their product is 1. The reciprocal of $\dfrac xy$ is $\dfrac yx$ The quotient of two fractions is the first fraction multiplied by the reciprocal of the second fraction. $\displaystyle \frac{a}{b}\div\frac{c}{d}=\frac{a}{b}\cdot\frac{d}{c}=\frac{a\cdot d}{b\cdot c}$ Example $\displaystyle \frac{5}{8}\div\frac{3}{4}=\frac{5}{8}\cdot\frac{4}{3}$ $=\displaystyle \frac{5}{[4]\times 2}\cdot\frac{[4]}{3}=\frac{5}{2}\cdot\frac{1}{3}=\frac{5\times 1}{2\times 3}=\frac{5}{6}$
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