SOLUTION: My problem is with multiplying and dividing fractions with variables. For example 5/1w x 3w/17.When I multiply across I get 15w/17w. Can the w's be cancelled out and I end up wi

Algebra ->  Numeric Fractions Calculators, Lesson and Practice -> SOLUTION: My problem is with multiplying and dividing fractions with variables. For example 5/1w x 3w/17.When I multiply across I get 15w/17w. Can the w's be cancelled out and I end up wi      Log On


   

Question 179018: My problem is with multiplying and dividing fractions with variables.
For example 5/1w x 3w/17.When I multiply across I get 15w/17w. Can the w's be
cancelled out and I end up with 15/17 ?
Also 27/8m divided by 9/4m. I know that you have to multiply the 27/8m by the inverse of 4m/9, which is 1 1/2, but do I keep the m ?
Found 2 solutions by Mathtut, checkley75:
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
when you invert something you invert everything in the numerator and everything in the denominator..... whether is a number or a variable representing a number.....so 3mn/5ts inverted would be 5ts/3mn
:
%285%2Fw%29%2A%283w%2F17%29=15cross%28w%29%2F17cross%28w%29=15%2F17 and yes they would cancel
:
27/8m divided by 9/4m
:
%2827%2F8m%29%2A%284m%2F9%29=108cross%28m%29%2F72cross%28m%29=54%2F36=27%2F18=3%2F2

Answer by checkley75(3666) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5/1w x 3w/17
5*3w/1w*17
15w/17w
15/17 ans.
---------------------------
27/8m divided by 9/4m
27/8m*4m/9
27*4m/8m*9
108m/72m
1.5 ans.