help with multpling fractions

Question

if each person in the united states throws away 3 2/3 pounds of garbage each day how many pounds of garbage does each person throw away in a year

Answer 1

Hey Maleeha,

 

since you are looking for pounds, all you have to do is (pounds / day) * (number of days)

 

So, (3 2/3) * (365) = (11 / 3) * (365) = 4015 / 3 lbs or 1338 1/3 lbs.  Do you want in fraction or decimal? if in decimal, how may places?

 

If you don't like big number, you can break the fraction:

Since you have 3 2/3, this can be written as (3 + 2/3).  After that multiply by 365.

 

(3 + 2/3) (365) = 1095 + 730/3

1095 + 243 1/3 = 1095 + 243 + 1/3 = 1338 1/3 lbs. of garbage in a year.

 

There you have it.  Good luck to you.