Expert: Bobby Soltani - 2/1/2006

Question
can you please explain this one to me step by step so I know how you get the answer thanks
what fraction of 324 is 270?

Answer
Hi Benita,

Let's start with a simple example.  If I asked you what fraction of 10 is 8, the answer would be 8/10, or equivalently, 4/5.  Similarly, if I asked you what fraction of 5 is 3, the answer would be 3/5.  For this problem, the answer is technically 270/324.  However we can write this as an equivalent fraction.

270 = 27*10 = (9*3)*(2*5) = (3*3*3)*(2*5)
324 = 9*36 = (3*3)*(6*6) = (3*3)*(2*3)(*2*3)

we see that all three 3's on top cancel with three of the 3's on bottom.  Also, the two on the top cancels with one 2 on the bottom, so we are left with 5/6.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby