Question

Silvia manages a sub shop and needs to prepare smoked turkey sandwiches. She has 1- lb of turkey in the cooler, and each sandwich requires001Ib of turkey. How many sandwiches can she make?

Answer 1

The total amount of turkey available to make the sandwiches is 1 1/2lb. Each sandwich requires 1/2lb of turkey. To determine how many sandwiches can be made you have to divide the total amount by the amount needed per sandwich:

$1\frac{1}{2}\div\frac{1}{2}$

First, you have to express the mixed number as a fraction:

-Divide the whole number by 1 and add 1/2

$\frac{1}{1}+\frac{1}{2}$

-Multiply the first fraction by 2 to express it using the same denominator and add 1/2

$\frac{1\cdot2}{1\cdot2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2}{2}+\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2+1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}$

Now you can write the division as follows:

$1\frac{1}{2}\div\frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\div\frac{1}{2}$

To divide two fractions, you have to multiply the dividend by the reciprocal (inverse) fraction of the dividend. So, switch 1/2 upside down and multiply both fractions:

$\frac{3}{2}\div\frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\cdot\frac{2}{1}=\frac{3\cdot2}{2\cdot1}=\frac{6}{2}=3$

Silvia can make 3 sandwiches with the smoked turkey available.