How many (1/6)'s are there in 4 & 1/2?
- The first step is to work out how many (1/6) there are in one whole. 6 x (1/6) = 1.
2)The next step uses partitioning. Split the 4 & (1/2) into a separate (4) and then (1/2)
3) Work out how many (1/6)'s there are in 4, after working out how many (1/6)'s are in 1. 4 is divisible by (1) (4) times. Therefore, to work out how many (1/6)'s are in (4) would require that you multiply the number of (1/6)'s by the number of whole numbers (4). 6 x 4 = 24 (1/6)'s.
4) Now that it has been established that there are 24 (1/6)'s in the whole number 4, it is time to work out how many (1/6)'s are in (1/2). First, we change the fractions so that there is a common denominator. By establishing that the common denominator of the (1/6) is divisible by the common denominator of the other fraction (1/2), we calculate that the denominator of the latter (last fraction) is multiplied by 3 to achieve a common fraction.
5)What is applied to the 'top' number is also applied to the bottom when converting fractions. If the denominator has been multiplied by 3, then the numerator must also be multiplied by 3. Therefore, the fraction (1/2) is now equal to (3/6).
6)Work out how many (1/6)'s are in (1/2) or (3/6). This is equal to 3.
6). Work out the total number of (1/6)'s in (4 & 1/2) by adding the number of individual (1/6)'s calculated during the partitioning. 24 (1/6) + 3 (1/6) = a total of 27 (1/6)'s in the number 4 & 1/2.
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