what is 3 divided by 1/4 ?

Answer 1

Hi Matthew,

When dividing fractions and whole numbers by each other (as well as when dividing fractions by other fractions), you always multiply the first mathematical value by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

In this case: _3_ = 3 x 4/1 since 4/1 is the reciprocal of 1/4 (you flip the original fraction so that the new

1/4 fraction has a numerator of 4 and a denominator of 1 in this particular case).

3 x 4/1 is the same as 3 x 4 since any improper fraction (with a larger numerator and a smaller denominator) with a denominator of 1 equals the whole number numerator itself seeing as you are dividing 4 by 1 to get the whole number 4.

Therefore: 3 x 4 = 12

Answer 2

3

----

1/4

multiply numerator and denominator by 4

3 * 4

----

1/4 * 4

12