Natan T. answered • 05/03/19
Experienced tutor for Reading, Writing, and Math
In order to solve this problem, we first have to figure out what is 1/3 of 1/2 an apple. The way to do that using math is to multiply 1/2 by 1/3. You multiply the numerators together, and then the denominators. 1x1=1, and 2x3=6, so the answer is 1/6. (To visualize this, draw a circle and then draw a line through the middle. That is two halves. Now draw an X through the circle. Each half is divided into three equal parts, making six total.)
Now we say that Molly's mom gave her half an apple, and she subtracted a sixth when she gave a piece to Jenny. In mathematical terms, Molly subtracted 1/6 from 1/2. Because we need a common denominator to add or subtract fractions, we'll change the 1/2 to 3/6 by multiplying the numerator and denominator by 3 (1x3=3 and 2x3=6). Now we have the problem 3/6-1/6. Subtract the numerators (3-1) and we get the answer 2/6.
If you are supposed to simplify your answer, divide the numerator and denominator by common factor 2 to get 1/3.
