Question

A log splitter can split 6/5 cords of wood in 4/5 of an hour. Complete the unit rate by setting up a complex fraction and simplifying

Answer 1

1½ cords per hour

Explanation:

A log splitter can split 6/5 cords of wood in 4/5 of an hour.

To find a unit rate, we divide the quantity of cords of wood by the time.

This gives us the complex fraction.

`( (6)/(5) )/( (4)/(5) )`

This is the same as

`(6)/(5) / (4)/(5)`

To divide two fractions, we multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

`(6)/(5) * (5)/(4)`

`(3)/(1) * (1)/(2)`

This simplifies to:

`(3)/(2) = 1 (1)/(2)`

The unit rate is 1.5 cords per hour