Are you stuck with the question, “What is 3/4 of 4/5?” Don’t worry; you are not alone. It is a common math problem that confuses many people. In this article, we will unlock the mystery behind this question and explain it in simple terms.
Understanding Fractions
To understand the answer to this question, we first need to have a brief understanding of fractions. A fraction represents a part of a whole or a portion of a number. It consists of a numerator and a denominator, separated by a slash (/). The numerator is the top number, which represents the number of parts, and the denominator is the bottom number, which represents the total number of parts in the whole.
For example, if we have a pizza divided into eight equal slices, and we eat three slices, we can represent it as 3/8. Here, 3 is the numerator, which represents the number of slices we ate, and 8 is the denominator, which represents the total number of slices in the pizza.
What is 3/4 of 4/5?
Now, let’s try to solve the original question, “What is 3/4 of 4/5?”
The first step is to understand what “of” means in this context. “Of” means multiplication or to multiply. So, “3/4 of 4/5” can be written as:
3/4 × 4/5
To multiply fractions, we multiply the numerators and denominators separately and simplify the result. Therefore, the solution to “3/4 of 4/5” is:
(3 × 4)/(4 × 5) = 12/20 or 3/5
Therefore, 3/4 of 4/5 is equal to 3/5.
Why Does This Calculation Work?
If you were wondering why this calculation works, here’s an explanation. When we multiply two fractions, we are essentially multiplying their numerators and denominators separately. This results in a new fraction, which represents the product of the two original fractions. In this case, when we multiply 3/4 and 4/5, we get:
3/4 × 4/5 = (3 × 4)/(4 × 5)
The denominator of the resulting fraction represents the total number of parts in the product, which is 4 × 5 = 20. The numerator represents the number of parts we want to consider, which is 3 × 4 = 12. Therefore, the final answer is 12/20, which can be simplified to 3/5.
Examples
Let’s look at a few more examples to solidify the concept.
Example 1:
What is 2/3 of 3/4?
2/3 × 3/4 = (2 × 3)/(3 × 4) = 6/12 = 1/2
Therefore, 2/3 of 3/4 is equal to 1/2.
Example 2:
What is 3/8 of 5/6?
3/8 × 5/6 = (3 × 5)/(8 × 6) = 15/48 = 5/16
Therefore, 3/8 of 5/6 is equal to 5/16.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you solve fraction multiplication problems:
- When multiplying two fractions, multiply their numerators and denominators separately.
- Always simplify the resulting fraction to its lowest terms.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at solving fraction problems.
Conclusion
Fraction multiplication can seem intimidating at first, but it is a fundamental concept that is used in everyday life. Understanding how to multiply fractions correctly will not only help you solve math problems, but it will also improve your problem-solving skills in general. So next time you come across a problem like “What is 3/4 of 4/5?” you’ll be able to solve it with ease.
FAQs
Q. What is a fraction?
A. A fraction represents a part of a whole or a portion of a number. It consists of a numerator and a denominator, separated by a slash (/).
Q. What does “of” mean in fraction multiplication?
A. “Of” means multiplication or to multiply. For example, “2/3 of 3/4” can be written as 2/3 × 3/4.
Q. How do you multiply two fractions?
A. To multiply two fractions, multiply their numerators and denominators separately and simplify the result.
Q. Can fractions be simplified?
A. Yes, fractions can be simplified to their lowest terms. To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor.
References
For more information on fractions and fraction multiplication, refer to the following sources: