Question

Divide. Write in simplest form. 10 divided by 1 2/3 ?

Answer 1

Answer: 6

Step-by-step explanation: First rewrite 10 as 10/1 and 1 and 2/3 as 5/3.

Mixed numbers can be changed to improper fractions by multiplying the denominator by the whole number and then adding the numerator. We then put out numerator over our old denominator.

So we have 10/1 ÷ 5/3 or 10/1 × 3/5.

It's important to understand that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. In other words, we can change the division to multiplication and flip the second fraction.

Now multiplying across the numerators and across the denominators, we have 30/5. Notice however that 30/5 is not in lowest terms so we divide the numerator and the denominator by the greatest common factor of 30 and 5 which is 6 and we end up with 6.

Therefore, 10 ÷ 1 and 2/3 = 6.