Easy Way To Calculate 3/5 Divided By 5

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Understanding fractions and division can sometimes seem daunting, but breaking down the problem into simpler steps can make it much easier. Let's tackle the problem of calculating 3/5 divided by 5 step by step.

Understanding the Problem

The problem is to divide 3/5 by 5. This means we are looking to find out how many times 5 fits into 3/5, or more precisely, what fraction we get when we divide 3/5 by 5.

Step 1: Convert the Whole Number to a Fraction

To divide fractions, it's helpful to think of the whole number (in this case, 5) as a fraction with a denominator of 1. So, 5 can be thought of as 5/1.

Step 2: Invert the Second Fraction and Change the Division to Multiplication

When dividing fractions, we invert the second fraction (i.e., flip the numerator and denominator) and change the division sign to a multiplication sign. So, instead of dividing 3/5 by 5/1, we will multiply 3/5 by 1/5.

Step 3: Multiply the Numerators and Denominators

To multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators (the numbers on top) and multiply the denominators (the numbers on the bottom), and then simplify the resulting fraction if necessary.

So, multiplying 3/5 by 1/5 gives us: [3 \times 1 = 3] for the new numerator, and [5 \times 5 = 25] for the new denominator.

Thus, the calculation becomes 3/25.

Step 4: Simplify the Fraction (If Necessary)

In this case, the fraction 3/25 cannot be simplified further, so our final answer is 3/25.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Division of Fractions: Remember, to divide fractions, you multiply the first fraction by the inverse of the second fraction.
• Simplifying Fractions: Always simplify fractions if possible. In our case, 3/25 is already in its simplest form.

Applying This Knowledge

Now, let's say you have a real-world problem where you need to divide a fraction by a whole number. By converting the whole number to a fraction (with a denominator of 1), inverting the second fraction, and then multiplying, you can easily solve these kinds of problems.

For example, what if you needed to calculate 2/3 divided by 4? Using the steps outlined above, you would convert 4 to 4/1, invert it to 1/4, and then multiply 2/3 by 1/4 to get 2/12, which simplifies to 1/6.

Engaging with the Material

We hope this explanation has been helpful in demonstrating how to divide fractions by whole numbers. If you have any further questions or would like more practice problems, please don't hesitate to ask or seek out additional resources.

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