When dividing fractions you

When dividing fractions you

• A. subtract the fractions
• B. add the numerators
• C. flip the second fraction
• D. change denominators

Answer: (C)

When dividing by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal. Turning the divisor into its reciprocal converts the division into multiplication, which is what you can actually perform with fractions. In other words, a/b ÷ c/d equals a/b × d/c. Flipping the second fraction is the key step because it gives you that multiplication form. For example, (3/4) ÷ (2/5) becomes (3/4) × (5/2) = 15/8. This works because you’re asking how many times 2/5 fits into 3/4, which is the same as multiplying 3/4 by 5/2. Subtracting fractions, adding numerators, or changing denominators aren’t the rules for performing division with fractions, so they don’t produce the correct result.

When dividing by a fraction, you multiply by its reciprocal. Turning the divisor into its reciprocal converts the division into multiplication, which is what you can actually perform with fractions. In other words, a/b ÷ c/d equals a/b × d/c. Flipping the second fraction is the key step because it gives you that multiplication form.

For example, (3/4) ÷ (2/5) becomes (3/4) × (5/2) = 15/8. This works because you’re asking how many times 2/5 fits into 3/4, which is the same as multiplying 3/4 by 5/2.

Subtracting fractions, adding numerators, or changing denominators aren’t the rules for performing division with fractions, so they don’t produce the correct result.