if you have 1/3 pound of candy and you divide the candy in 1/2, then how much candy will you have in each portion?

Question

what operation and can this be worded differently to know what operation to use

Answer 1

If you divide 1/3 of a pound into 2 equal parts, each part will be (1/2)*(1/3) = 1/6 of a pound.  David's solution is correct.

 

Answer 2

"if you have 1/3 pound of candy and you divide the candy in 1/2, then how much candy will you have in each portion?"

 

First, read and re-read the problem until you can put it into your own words.  How's this?

  "What is 1/2 of 1/3 ?"

 

Note that the problem did not say "divide 1/3 by 1/2."  The problem said "divide the candy in half."

 

The word "of" in word (story) problems usually means "multiply."

 

  (1/2)(1/3) = 1/6             [multiply numerators and multiply denominators;

                                             then, reduce if possible]

 

Each portion is 1/6 pound of candy.

Answer 3

Restated: You and a friend buy 1/3 pound of candy from the candy store at the mall. Before your friend is dropped off, you have to split the candy evenly between the 2 of you so that everything is fair. How much candy will each of you get.

If you have something that needs to be split between 2 people (each individual receives 1/2 of the total amount), which operation would you use to find the answer? Division of fractions. Remember, when dividing fractions, always reciprocate! Reciprocal, multiply, then simplify.

 

Problem: 1/3 divided by 1/2

Find the reciprocal of 1/2: 2/1 or 2

Multiply the fraction by the reciprocal: 1/3 x 2

Once you find the answer, simplify the fraction if necessary. 

 

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions. 

Answer 4

When you divide by 1/2, you are multiplying by 2.

 

(1/3) * 2 = 2/3

 

You will have 2/3 pounds of candy.