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Fractions are used to represent parts of
whole quantities.
The denominator
of a fraction (the bottom) shows the number of equal parts in the whole.
The numerator of a fraction (the top) shows
the number of parts being talked about or being used.
Examples:
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1.
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Your friend, Matt,
decided to create his own pizza by combining pizzas (of
the same size) with
different toppings. He put together 1/8 of a cheese
pizza, 1/2 of a pepperoni pizza, and 1/3 of a sausage
pizza. As he approaches the anchovy pizza, he
wonders how much he should take to complete his "new"
whole pizza. How much of the anchovy pizza should
Matt pick up? |
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Solution: Let x
= fractional part of the anchovy pizza needed to complete the pizza.
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Matt will
need to take 1/24 of the anchovy pizza to complete his
varied topping pizza. A very small slice!
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2.
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According to NCAA regulations, the length
x, in inches, of a regulation football is:
| a.
What is the difference, in inches, between the minimum and
maximum lengths of a regulation football?
b. To the nearest percent, what percent of the
minimum length of a regulation football is a
regulation baseball of diameter
inches? |
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Solution:
a. Let
d = difference between lengths
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b. Let
x = the percent
The answer is 27%.
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