Expert: Lynn Houston - 9/21/2008

Question
How can I take the fraction ratio 5 3/5 to 2 1/10 and reduce it to simplest form?

Answer
First step is to turn them into whole fractions (not mixed), so 5 3/5 = 28/5 and 2 1/10 = 21/10.  Now a ratio, really means the same as division, so you have 28/5 divided by 21/10.  You invert and multiply, which gives you 280/105.  Reduce and you get 8/3 or the ratio of 8 to 3.  If you want to check this, make the denominators = in the original ratio and you have 56/10 to 21/10.  Now, if you start with 7/10 and you multiply it by 8, you get 56/10 and if you multiply by 3, you get 21/10, with is the ratio of 8 to 3.  Make sense?  Let me know if it doesn't.