Question

a bookshelf is 30 inches wide. Each book is 2 11/16 inches wide. How many books fit in the bookshelf?

Answer 1

A division problem always seems simple until a fraction is thrown in, right? Thought it may look more than a simple division problem, it really is a simple division problem that needs a shift in your mental perspective.

Let's start off by simplifying the horrid mixed fraction.

2 11/16 = (32 + 11)/16 = 43/16

Now divide "30" by "43/16".

`(30)/(1)` x
`(16)/(43)`

You may be thinking, "Wait, that's a multiplication problem!" Actually, when dividing fractions you are essentially multiplying the dividend by the reciprocal (flip) of the divisor.

`(480)/(43) = 11(7)/(43)`

Since every book is of equal width, and we cannot cut into any books, 11 books can fit in the shelf. Hope this helps!