document.write( "Question 1129357: Thomas travels 3 miles to get to school. This is one-fourth the distance that tammy travels. How far does tammy travel \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #745921 by addingup(3677) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3 miles equals what?
\n" ); document.write( "The problem says that 3 miles is 1/4 Tammy
\n" ); document.write( "How far does Tammy travel? We don't know, let's call it x:
\n" ); document.write( "3 = 1/4x
\n" ); document.write( "or 1/4x = 3
\n" ); document.write( "x = 3*4/1 (see note below)
\n" ); document.write( "x = 12 Tammy travels 12 miles
\n" ); document.write( "~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\n" ); document.write( "Note: 1/4 was multiplying on the left. We divide both sides by 1/4
\n" ); document.write( "(1/4x)/1/4 = 3/1/4 On the left 1/4 on the numerator and 1/4 on the denominator cance each other, and you are left with:
\n" ); document.write( "x = 3/(1/4)
\n" ); document.write( "So here is the twist: dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Take the easiest, 1/2. We all understand 1/2. If you have 10, 1/2 is 5, if you have 12, 1/2 is 6, etc. In decimals, 1/2 is 0.5. So, 0.5 x 10 = 5, 0.5 x 12 = 6. Now let's divide (use your calculator to follow along): 10/0.5 = 20 and 12/0.5 = 24 --ANY TIME YOU DIVIDE A NUMBER BY A FRACTION OR DECIMAL, YOU GET A BIGGER NUMBER-- Now try with the fraction: 10*2/1 = 20; 12*2/1 = 24. If you have questions, email me. I'll be glad to help.
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );