Phillip R. answered • 09/08/14
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a number (in this case it is a fraction) is being divided by a fraction. To divide by a fraction, we change it into a multiplication and at the same time we flip the fraction. When you flip a fraction, you get what is called the reciprocal of the fraction. In the reciprocal of a fraction, the numerator and denominator switch places.
In your question, the fraction is 5/12.
Therefore the reciprocal is 12/5
Now that we know the reciprocal, we can multiply with it instead of dividing with the original fraction.
So 2/3 ÷ 5/12 is changed to 2/3 x 12/5
We know how to multiply fractions. Remember it is not necessary to have the same dominators for multiplication.
You just multiply the numerators to get the final numerator and do the same with the denominators.
2 x 12 = 24
3 x 5 = 15
So the answer is 24/15.
We can reduce this fraction because both numbers can be divided by 3.
The fraction reduces to 8/5
