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A chocolate bar example

publish date2024/04/19 21:09:35.067789 UTC

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A candy store manager decides to divide the chocolate bars into four parts to sell.  How many fourths can be obtained from 5 bars?

result =

Correct Answer

(1) 20

Explanation

The question is, "How many \(\frac14\) are there in 5?  To answer the question, we need to use the operation of division.  We can represent this division as 5 ÷ \(\frac14\)

divide_chocolate_bar.gif

There are 20-fourths in the 5 bars of chocolate.  Two observations can be made from this result

  • This division problem involves a fraction: 5 ÷ \(\frac14\).
  • Although we were asked to find 5 ÷ \(\frac14\), we solved the problem using multiplication instead of division: 5 • 4 = 20.  That is, division by \(\frac14\) (a fraction_ is the same as multiplication by 4 (its reciprocal).

Reference

Mathematics for college students


Quizzes you can take where this question appears