Working with fractions

Divide fractions

In the rules of mathematics, dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by the inverse of that fraction.

What is an inverse of a fraction?

The inverse of a fraction is simply flipping it. Examples:

• The inverse of 5/2 is 2/5
• The inverse of 1/2 is 2/1 (which is 2)

Example

The equation 10 ÷ (1 ÷ 2) is the same as: 10 × (2 ÷ 1) = 20

Important note: the parentheses were important because without them, we would get: 10 ÷ 2 ÷ 1 = 5