SOLUTION: My son is starting Algebra 1 and I'm having trouble remembering how to do one concept. Here's the problem: (2/3)/x = (5/8)/(1/5) These are fractions divided by fractions. Is

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: My son is starting Algebra 1 and I'm having trouble remembering how to do one concept. Here's the problem: (2/3)/x = (5/8)/(1/5) These are fractions divided by fractions. Is       Log On


   

Question 49256: My son is starting Algebra 1 and I'm having trouble remembering how to do one concept. Here's the problem:
(2/3)/x = (5/8)/(1/5)
These are fractions divided by fractions. Is my understanding right to multiply by the reciprocals and then cross multiply or should we start off cross multiplying? The first way we ended up with 16/75 and the second way we ended up with 75/16. It's got me perplexed....Thanks for any help you can give.

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Solve:
%282%2F3%29%2Fx+=+%285%2F8%29%2F%281%2F5%29 Simplify.
%282%2F3%29%281%2Fx%29+=+%285%2F8%29%285%2F1%29
2%2F3x+=+25%2F8 Cross-multiply.
%288%29%282%29+=+%283x%29%2825%29 Simplify.
16+=+75x Divide both sides by 75.
x+=+16%2F75