Question

A case of grapefruit weighs `35 3/4` pounds. Of this weight, `1/8` is not ripe. What is the weight of the grapefruit that are ripe?

Answer 1

=`31 9/32` pounds are ripe.

Explanation:

If `1/8` of the case is NOT ripe, then `7/8` ARE ripe.

So we are actually being asked to find `7/8` of `35 3/4` which is done by multiplying.

`7/8 xx 35 3/4" "larr` change to improper fractions

`=7/8 xx 143/4" "larr` multiply straight across

`=1001/32" "larr`change back to a mixed fraction

=`31 9/32` pounds are ripe.

It is common practice to answer a question in the same format as was given.