A red candle is #11 2/5# inches tall. The label claims that the candle will melt #1 1/8# inch every hour it burns. If the label is correct, for how many hours will the candle burn?

1 Answer

#10 2/15 # hours

#= 10 " hours" and 8 # minutes

Explanation:

Change both fractions to improper fractions and then divide.

# 11 2/5 div 1 1/8 = ( 57/5) / (9/8) #

Multiply the denominator and numerator by the inverse of #9/8# which is #8/9#

#{ (57/5) xx (8/9)} /{ (9/8)xx(8/9)} = {(57/5) xx (8/9) }/ 1 #

# 57/5 xx 8/9 = 456/45#

Answer as a mixed number because that is the form that was given.

# 456/45 = 10 2/15 # hours