Question

A diamond merchant received a shipment of 1 3/5 pounds of diamonds. She divided the diamonds into 8 equal lots and sold them to jewelers for making rings and necklaces. What was the weight of the diamonds in each lot?

Write your answer as a fraction or as a whole or mixed number.

Answer 1

Answer: 1/5 of a pound

Work Shown:

1 & 3/5 = 1 + (3/5) = (5/5) + (3/5) = 8/5

The mixed number 1 & 3/5 is the same as the improper fraction 8/5.

We'll divide this over 8 to determine the weight of each lot.

(8/5) ÷ 8

(8/5) ÷ (8/1)

(8/5) * (1/8)

(8*1)/(5*8)

1/5

Each lot of diamonds is 1/5 of a pound.