SOLUTION: I'm having a problem with dividing fractions. The problem involves a recipe for 12 people and I have to find out how much of a certain ingredient would be for 10 people instead o

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Question 254601: I'm having a problem with dividing fractions. The problem involves a recipe
for 12 people and I have to find out how much of a certain ingredient would be for 10 people instead of 12.
For example the recipe has 2 1^4 cups of sugar for 12 people. I know that I have to find out how much the recipe would be for one person before I can figure out how much it would be for ten people.
So, I'm thinking that I would take the 2 1^4 and divide by 12.
2 1^4 divided by 12 equals 3 ^16 on my calculator< but I want to figure it
out myself.
2 1^4 divided by 12
Keep - change - change???
2 1^4 X 1^12? I can't get it right.
Once I figure out how much the fraction would be for one person, then I think
I can multiple X 10 to find out how much of that ingredient would be for 10 people. Unless I'm totally wrong.
Thanks for looking at this for me. I really need some help.
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Your method, given correct arithmetic, should work just fine. However, I think that you are doing too much work.

If is the amount for 1 person, then would be the amount for 10 people, n'est-ce pas?



Let's multiply:



That's the math class answer. If you are really cooking something, just round it to 2 cups. Better yet, make the entire 12 person recipe -- out of 10 people someone will want seconds.

John