How do you divide #\frac { 25} { 43} \div \frac { 40} { 43}#?

1 Answer
Mar 11, 2017

#25/43-:40/43=5/8#

Explanation:

Dividing by a fraction is equal to multiplying by its reciprocal or multiplicative inverse. Reciprocal or multiplicative inverse of a fraction say #a/b# is #b/a#. As such #x/y-:a/b# or #(x/y)/(a/b)# is equal to #x/yxxb/a#.

Hence, #25/43-:40/43#

=#25/43xx43/40#

=#25/cancel43xxcancel43/40#

#=25/40#

#=(cancel25^5)/(cancel40^8)#

#=5/8#