SAT Math : How to divide fractions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Fractions

Simplify:

  Sat_math_167_03

 

 

Possible Answers:

a2/c2

a/b/c/d

ac/bd

ad/bc

It is already in simplest terms

Correct answer:

ad/bc

Explanation:

Division is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal.  Thus, a/b ÷ c/d = a/b x d/c = ad/bc

 

 

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Fractions

If p is a positive integer, and 4 is the remainder when p-8 is divided by 5, which of the following could be the value of p?

Possible Answers:

17

20

19

18

Correct answer:

17

Explanation:

Remember that if x has a remainder of 4 when divided by 5, x minus 4 must be divisible by 5. We are therefore looking for a number p such that p - 8 - 4 is divisible by 5. The only answer choice that fits this description is 17. 

Example Question #111 : Arithmetic

If \dpi{100} \small x=\frac{2}{3} and \dpi{100} \small y= \frac {3}{4}, then what is the value of \dpi{100} \small \frac {x}{y}?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{5}{7}

\dpi{100} \small \frac{1}{2}

\dpi{100} \small 2

\dpi{100} \small \frac{9}{8}

\dpi{100} \small \frac{8}{9}

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small \frac{8}{9}

Explanation:

Dividing by a number (in this case \dpi{100} \small \frac {3}{4}) is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal (in this case \dpi{100} \small \frac {4}{3}).  Therefore:

\dpi{100} \small \frac {2}{3}\div \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2}{3}\times \frac{4}{3} = \frac{8}{9}

Example Question #1 : Operations With Fractions

Evaluate the following:

Possible Answers:

\frac{25}{507}

\frac{507}{400}

None of the available answers

\frac{4}{5}

\frac{400}{507}

Correct answer:

\frac{400}{507}

Explanation:

First we will evaluate the terms in the parentheses:

Next, we will square the first fraction:

\frac{100}{169}\div \frac{3}{4}

We can evaluate the division as such:

\frac{100}{169}\times\frac{4}{3}=\frac{400}{507}

Example Question #5 : How To Divide Fractions

Evaluate the expression:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing fractions, you invert the second term and multiply the numbers. 

 

You can reduce the numbers that are diagonal from each other to make the numbers smaller and easier to multiply. 

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Fractions

Simplify

Possible Answers:

Fractions with variables cannot be divided

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When you dividing fractions, multiply by the reciprocal of the denominator.

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