Multiplying Fractions

Question

A leaky pool loses 2 1/4 inches of water each day. Jermaine and Mildred are asked to determine the change in the amount of water in the pool over 5 days.

Answer 1

Convert 2 1/4 into an improper fraction and multiply by 5.

9/4 x 5/1 = 45/4 = 11 1/4

Answer 2

Fist of all, change the mixed number into either a decimal or an improper fraction.

 

9/4 inches/day * 5 days = 45/4 inches = 11 1/4 inches in 5 days.

 

Please note that in this kind of a problem, it is always helpful to make the units work, i.e. 

 

inches/day * days = inches.