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Fraction word problems

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5106135
A phone battery is \(\frac{1}{5}\) charged in the morning. During a train ride, it is charged until it is \(\frac{13}{15}\) full. What fraction of the battery's total capacity was added during the ride?

Hints

- Can you write the starting and ending charge with the same denominator? - Which operation finds the increase from the starting charge to the ending charge? - Simplify your final fraction.

Solution

1. The starting charge is \(\frac{1}{5}\), and the ending charge is \(\frac{13}{15}\). 2. Rewrite \(\frac{1}{5}\) as \(\frac{3}{15}\). 3. Find the increase: \(\frac{13}{15} - \frac{3}{15} = \frac{10}{15} = \frac{2}{3}\).

Answer

\(\frac{2}{3}\) of the battery's total capacity was added.
5107035
Mia mixes \(\frac{3}{8}\) cup of apple juice, \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup of cranberry juice, and \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup of sparkling water. How many cups of drink does she make altogether? Will it all fit in a \(1\)-cup container? Explain.

Hints

- Rewrite the fractions with a common denominator before adding. - Compare the total with one whole cup. - An improper fraction can be rewritten as a mixed number.

Solution

1. Use denominator \(8\): \(\frac{1}{4}=\frac{2}{8}\) and \(\frac{1}{2}=\frac{4}{8}\). 2. Add the amounts: \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{8}+\frac{4}{8}=\frac{9}{8}=1 \frac{1}{8}\) cups. 3. Since \(1 \frac{1}{8}>1\), the drink will not fit in a \(1\)-cup container.

Answer

Mia makes \(1 \frac{1}{8}\) cups. No, it will not all fit in a \(1\)-cup container.
5113955
The grid represents all the animals at a shelter. The vertically shaded region represents the dogs, and the horizontally shaded region represents the fraction of the dogs that are puppies. The overlap represents the puppies. What fraction of all the animals are puppies? Write the multiplication expression represented by the model and simplify the product.
Figure for problem 511395

Hints

- Read one factor from the vertical partition and the other from the horizontal partition. - The overlap is the part that satisfies both fractional conditions. - Compare the number of overlap cells with the total number of equal cells in the whole grid.

Solution

1. The vertical region covers \(5\) of \(8\) equal columns, so \(\frac{5}{8}\) of the animals are dogs. 2. The horizontal region covers \(2\) of \(5\) equal rows, so the model takes \(\frac{2}{5}\) of the dog region. 3. The overlap covers \(10\) of the \(40\) equal cells, so \(\frac{2}{5}\times\frac{5}{8}=\frac{10}{40}=\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

\(\frac{2}{5}\times\frac{5}{8}=\frac{1}{4}\). Puppies make up \(\frac{1}{4}\) of all the animals.
5409315
Bar a) represents how full a tank is. Bar b) represents the amount of a full tank that is used. What fraction of the full tank remains?
Figure for problem 540931

Hints

- Both bars represent fractions of the same full tank. - Rewrite fifteenths and twentieths as equal-sized parts. - Subtract the amount used from the amount initially in the tank.

Solution

1. Subtract the fraction used from the fraction initially in the tank: \(\frac{13}{15}-\frac{7}{20}\). 2. The least common denominator is \(60\). 3. Rewrite: \(\frac{13}{15}=\frac{52}{60}\) and \(\frac{7}{20}=\frac{21}{60}\). 4. Subtract: \(\frac{52}{60}-\frac{21}{60}=\frac{31}{60}\).

Answer

\(\frac{31}{60}\) of the full tank remains.
5100455
Sarah has a supply of sugar. She uses \(\frac{4}{9}\) of the original amount, then later uses \(\frac{7}{10}\) of what remained. What fraction of the original amount is left? Show the two fractional stages that lead to your answer.

Hints

- Find the complement of the first fraction used. - Find the complement of the fraction used from the remainder. - The final amount is a fraction of a fraction of the original whole.

Solution

1. After the first use, \(1-\frac{4}{9}=\frac{5}{9}\) of the original sugar remains. 2. After the second use, \(1-\frac{7}{10}=\frac{3}{10}\) of that remainder is left. 3. Therefore the final fraction of the original amount is \(\frac{3}{10}\times\frac{5}{9}=\frac{15}{90}=\frac{1}{6}\).

Answer

After the first use, \(\frac{5}{9}\) remains. Keeping \(\frac{3}{10}\) of that gives \(\frac{3}{10}\times\frac{5}{9}=\frac{1}{6}\) of the original amount.
5102875
Find the missing number \(x\) so that the part is exactly \(\frac{1}{8}\) of the whole. a) \(125\,\text{mL}\) is \(\frac{1}{8}\) of \(x\,\text{L}\). b) \(x\,\text{cm}\) is \(\frac{1}{8}\) of \(2\,\text{m}\). c) \(45\,\text{s}\) is \(\frac{1}{8}\) of \(x\,\text{min}\).

Hints

- A whole is eight times a part that represents \(\frac{1}{8}\). - When the whole is known, divide it by \(8\) to find one eighth. - Convert units before or after calculating, as needed.

Solution

1. For a), the whole is \(8\times125\,\text{mL}=1000\,\text{mL}=1\,\text{L}\), so \(x=1\). 2. For b), \(2\,\text{m}=200\,\text{cm}\). One eighth of \(200\,\text{cm}\) is \(200\div8=25\,\text{cm}\), so \(x=25\). 3. For c), the whole is \(8\times45\,\text{s}=360\,\text{s}=6\,\text{min}\), so \(x=6\).

Answer

a) \(x=1\) b) \(x=25\) c) \(x=6\)
5102885
A soil mixture contains \(350\,\text{g}\) of sand and \(1.05\,\text{kg}\) of gravel. What fraction of the mixture's total mass is sand? Write the fraction in simplest form.

Hints

- The whole is the combined mass of the sand and gravel. - Convert both masses to the same unit before adding. - Write the sand mass over the total mass and simplify.

Solution

1. Convert the gravel mass: \(1.05\,\text{kg}=1050\,\text{g}\). 2. Find the total mass: \(350\,\text{g}+1050\,\text{g}=1400\,\text{g}\). 3. Write the sand mass over the total mass: \(\frac{350}{1400}\). 4. Simplify: \(\frac{350}{1400}=\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

Sand makes up \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the mixture's total mass.
5106345
Riley is making punch in a bowl that holds \(12\) cups. Riley adds \(2\frac{1}{4}\) cups of apple juice, \(1\frac{3}{8}\) cups of cranberry juice, \(3\frac{1}{2}\) cups of sparkling water, and \(1\frac{3}{4}\) cups of orange juice. How many cups of space are left in the bowl?

Hints

- Rewrite the fractional amounts with a common denominator. - Find how many cups were added altogether. - Subtract the amount added from the bowl's total capacity.

Solution

1. Add the amounts. Using denominator \(8\), \(2\frac{1}{4}=\frac{18}{8}\), \(1\frac{3}{8}=\frac{11}{8}\), \(3\frac{1}{2}=\frac{28}{8}\), and \(1\frac{3}{4}=\frac{14}{8}\). 2. The total added is \(\frac{18+11+28+14}{8}=\frac{71}{8}=8\frac{7}{8}\) cups. 3. Subtract from the capacity: \(12-8\frac{7}{8}=3\frac{1}{8}\) cups.

Answer

\(3\frac{1}{8}\) cups of space are left.
5106405
Ms. Meyer buys ribbon for wrapping gifts: two pieces that are each \(2\frac{1}{2}\,\text{yd}\), one piece that is \(1\frac{1}{4}\,\text{yd}\), and one piece that is \(2\frac{1}{5}\,\text{yd}\). The ribbon costs \(\$2.00\) per yard. What is the total cost?

Hints

- Include both pieces of the repeated length. - Add the mixed numbers using a common denominator. - Multiply the total number of yards by the price per yard.

Solution

1. Find the total length: \(2\times2\frac{1}{2}+1\frac{1}{4}+2\frac{1}{5}=5+1\frac{1}{4}+2\frac{1}{5}=8\frac{9}{20}\,\text{yd}\). 2. Convert to a decimal: \(8\frac{9}{20}=8.45\). 3. Multiply by the price per yard: \(8.45\times\$2.00=\$16.90\).

Answer

The total cost is \(\$16.90\).
5106415
Dario has a \(4\,\text{ft}\) board. He cuts off pieces measuring \(1\frac{1}{3}\,\text{ft}\) and \(\frac{5}{6}\,\text{ft}\). The remaining wood is worth \(\$6.00\) per foot. What is the value of the remaining piece?

Hints

- Add the lengths of the pieces removed. - Subtract that sum from the original length. - Multiply the remaining length by the price per foot.

Solution

1. Add the lengths removed: \(1\frac{1}{3}+\frac{5}{6}=\frac{4}{3}+\frac{5}{6}=\frac{13}{6}=2\frac{1}{6}\,\text{ft}\). 2. Find the remaining length: \(4-2\frac{1}{6}=1\frac{5}{6}=\frac{11}{6}\,\text{ft}\). 3. Find its value: \(\frac{11}{6}\times\$6.00=\$11.00\).

Answer

The remaining piece is worth \(\$11.00\).
5107045
A school garden group is painting a fence. They paint \(\frac{1}{5}\) of the fence on Monday, \(\frac{2}{10}\) on Tuesday, and \(\frac{1}{4}\) on Wednesday. What fraction of the fence remains to be painted on Thursday?

Hints

- What fraction represents the whole fence? - First find the total fraction painted during the first three days. - Subtract the painted part from one whole.

Solution

1. Use denominator \(20\): \(\frac{1}{5}=\frac{4}{20}\), \(\frac{2}{10}=\frac{4}{20}\), and \(\frac{1}{4}=\frac{5}{20}\). 2. The group has painted \(\frac{4}{20}+\frac{4}{20}+\frac{5}{20}=\frac{13}{20}\) of the fence. 3. Subtract from one whole: \(1-\frac{13}{20}=\frac{20}{20}-\frac{13}{20}=\frac{7}{20}\).

Answer

\(\frac{7}{20}\) of the fence remains to be painted.
5107075
In this problem, a quarter note has value \(\frac{1}{4}\) of a whole note. A full measure in \(\frac{4}{4}\) time has a total value of one whole note. A dot after a musical note adds one half of that note's original value. The measure must contain exactly three notes, and two of them are dotted quarter notes. What value must the third note have to fill the measure exactly? Is it dotted or undotted?

Hints

- Use the stated value of a quarter note before applying the dot rule. - Add the values of the two known notes. - Subtract their total from the value of a full measure.

Solution

1. A dotted quarter note has value \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{1}{4}=\frac{3}{8}\). 2. Two dotted quarter notes have total value \(2\times\frac{3}{8}=\frac{6}{8}\). 3. The full measure has value \(\frac{4}{4}=\frac{8}{8}\). 4. The missing value is \(\frac{8}{8}-\frac{6}{8}=\frac{2}{8}=\frac{1}{4}\), which is an undotted quarter note.

Answer

The third note must be an undotted quarter note with value \(\frac{1}{4}\).
5107084
In this problem, a quarter note has value \(\frac{1}{4}\), a half note has value \(\frac{1}{2}\), and an eighth note has value \(\frac{1}{8}\) of a whole note. A dot after a musical note increases its duration by one half of its original value. a) Show mathematically that two dotted quarter notes have the same duration as three undotted quarter notes. b) How many eighth notes have the same total duration as one dotted half note?

Hints

- Use the stated base fraction for each note before applying the dot rule. - Compare repeated copies of the resulting fractional durations. - Rewrite the dotted half note's value in eighths for part b).

Solution

1. A dotted quarter note has value \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{8}=\frac{3}{8}\). Two have value \(2\times\frac{3}{8}=\frac{6}{8}=\frac{3}{4}\). 2. Three undotted quarter notes have value \(3\times\frac{1}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\), so the durations are equal. 3. A dotted half note has value \(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{3}{4}=\frac{6}{8}\). Therefore, it has the duration of six eighth notes.

Answer

a) Both durations equal \(\frac{3}{4}\). b) \(6\) eighth notes
5107364
Anya buys \(8\) bottles of sparkling water. Each bottle contains \(\frac{3}{4}\,\text{qt}\). a) How many quarts of water did she buy altogether? b) She pours exactly \(\frac{1}{4}\,\text{qt}\) from each bottle into a large bowl. How many quarts remain in the bottles altogether?

Hints

- Multiply the amount in one bottle by the number of bottles. - Find the total amount poured out. - Subtract the amount poured out from the original total.

Solution

1. The total amount purchased is \(8\times\frac{3}{4}=6\,\text{qt}\). 2. The amount poured out is \(8\times\frac{1}{4}=2\,\text{qt}\). 3. The amount remaining is \(6-2=4\,\text{qt}\).

Answer

a) \(6\,\text{qt}\) b) \(4\,\text{qt}\)
5107765
At a school field day, \(60\) students participate. Two fifths choose track and field. One half of those students compete in the long jump. a) What fraction of all the students are long jumpers? Show the fraction-of-a-fraction expression. b) Show two different ways to find how many students compete in the long jump.

Hints

- The long jumpers are a fraction of a group that is itself a fraction of all students. - For one method, combine the two fractions before using the total number of students. - For the second method, find the track-and-field group first and then take half of it.

Solution

1. The long jumpers are \(\frac{1}{2}\) of the \(\frac{2}{5}\) who choose track and field, so \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{2}{5}=\frac{1}{5}\) of all students are long jumpers. 2. One method is to find \(\frac{1}{5}\) of \(60\), which is \(12\). 3. Another method is to find \(\frac{2}{5}\) of \(60\), which is \(24\), and then take half of \(24\), which is \(12\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{2}{5}=\frac{1}{5}\) of all students b) \(12\) students. Either find \(\frac{1}{5}\) of \(60\), or find \(\frac{2}{5}\) of \(60\) and then take one half.
5107774
Class A has \(24\) students, and \(\frac{2}{3}\) of them have a pet. Class B has \(30\) students, and \(\frac{1}{2}\) of them have a pet. a) Which class has more students with pets? Show your calculations. b) What fraction of all students in the two classes have a pet?

Hints

- Find the number of students with pets in each class. - A larger fraction does not always mean a larger number; consider each class size. - Combine the numbers of students and pet owners for part b.

Solution

1. In Class A, \(\frac{2}{3}\times24=16\) students have a pet. 2. In Class B, \(\frac{1}{2}\times30=15\) students have a pet. 3. Therefore, Class A has more students with pets. 4. There are \(24+30=54\) students altogether and \(16+15=31\) students with pets. The fraction is \(\frac{31}{54}\).

Answer

a) Class A, with \(16\) students compared with \(15\) in Class B b) \(\frac{31}{54}\)
5113105
Two pirate crews are comparing plans for dividing treasure. Plan A gives \(\frac{1}{2}\) to the captain, \(\frac{1}{4}\) to the officers, and \(\frac{1}{10}\) to the sailors. Plan B gives \(\frac{1}{3}\) to the captain, \(\frac{1}{6}\) to the officers, and \(\frac{1}{4}\) to the sailors. Which plan distributes a greater fraction of the treasure altogether? Show your calculation.

Hints

- Find the total fraction distributed under each plan separately. - Rewrite the fractions with common denominators before adding. - Finally, rewrite the two totals with a common denominator so you can compare them. - The plan with the greater total gives away the larger share of the treasure.

Solution

1. For Plan A, use denominator \(20\): \(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{10}=\frac{10}{20}+\frac{5}{20}+\frac{2}{20}=\frac{17}{20}\). 2. For Plan B, use denominator \(12\): \(\frac{1}{3}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{4}{12}+\frac{2}{12}+\frac{3}{12}=\frac{9}{12}=\frac{3}{4}\). 3. Rewrite \(\frac{3}{4}\) as \(\frac{15}{20}\). Since \(\frac{17}{20}>\frac{15}{20}\), Plan A distributes the greater fraction.

Answer

Plan A distributes more: \(\frac{17}{20}\) of the treasure, compared with \(\frac{3}{4}=\frac{15}{20}\) for Plan B.
5113975
Models A and B represent two juice-pouring situations. In each model, the vertically shaded region shows how much of a pitcher is filled, the horizontally shaded region shows the fraction of that juice that is poured into a glass, and the overlap shows the amount in the glass. a) Write and simplify the product represented by each model. b) In which situation is there more juice in the glass, or are the amounts equal?
Figure for problem 511397

Hints

- Read one factor from the vertical partition and the other from the horizontal partition in each model. - The overlap represents the fraction that satisfies both conditions. - Simplify both overlap fractions before comparing them.

Solution

1. In Model A, the vertical region is \(\frac{4}{5}\) of the pitcher and the horizontal region is \(\frac{3}{8}\) of that amount. The overlap is \(12\) of \(40\) cells, so \(\frac{3}{8}\times\frac{4}{5}=\frac{12}{40}=\frac{3}{10}\). 2. In Model B, the vertical region is \(\frac{3}{5}\) of the pitcher and the horizontal region is \(\frac{1}{2}\) of that amount. The overlap is \(3\) of \(10\) cells, so \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{3}{5}=\frac{3}{10}\). 3. Both overlaps represent \(\frac{3}{10}\) of a full pitcher, so the amounts are equal.

Answer

a) Model A: \(\frac{3}{8}\times\frac{4}{5}=\frac{3}{10}\) Model B: \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{3}{5}=\frac{3}{10}\) b) The amounts are equal.
5116345
Solve each problem. a) Find \(\frac{2}{3}\) of \(1 \frac{1}{2}\) pounds. b) One jug holds \(\frac{3}{4}\) gallon. How many gallons do \(5\) such jugs hold altogether? Write the result as a mixed number.

Hints

- In part a), interpret “of” as multiplication. - In part b), multiply the amount in one jug by the number of jugs. - Keep the unit with each final answer.

Solution

1. For a), rewrite \(1 \frac{1}{2}=\frac{3}{2}\). Then \(\frac{2}{3}\times\frac{3}{2}=1\), so the amount is \(1\) pound. 2. For b), multiply the capacity of one jug by \(5\): \(5\times\frac{3}{4}=\frac{15}{4}=3 \frac{3}{4}\). The jugs hold \(3 \frac{3}{4}\) gallons altogether.

Answer

a) \(1\) pound b) \(3 \frac{3}{4}\) gallons
5118015
The grid represents an entire school garden. Blue cells are the pond, orange cells are flower beds, and green cells are grass. a) What fraction of the whole garden remains after the pond is excluded? b) What fraction of that remaining region is grass? c) Write the multiplication expression represented by the model and give the fraction of the whole garden that is grass.
Figure for problem 511801

Hints

- Use the colored regions in the grid; the row and column counts are not stated in the text. - First compare the non-pond columns with all columns. - Then compare the grass rows within the non-pond region before writing the fraction-of-a-fraction product.

Solution

1. The pond occupies one of three equal columns, so \(\frac{2}{3}\) of the garden remains. 2. Within the two remaining columns, grass occupies two of five equal rows, so grass is \(\frac{2}{5}\) of the remaining region. 3. Therefore \(\frac{2}{5}\times\frac{2}{3}=\frac{4}{15}\). The four green cells out of fifteen total cells confirm the product.

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{3}\) b) \(\frac{2}{5}\) c) \(\frac{2}{5}\times\frac{2}{3}=\frac{4}{15}\)
5170505
A fruit punch is mixed in a large pitcher. One-eighth of the punch is berry concentrate, one-half is water, and the rest is \(12\,\text{fl oz}\) of apple juice. How many fluid ounces of punch are in the pitcher altogether?

Hints

- How many eighths are equal to one-half? - What fraction of the punch is already accounted for by the berry concentrate and water? - What fraction remains for the apple juice, and how can that help you find one-eighth? - The whole mixture contains eight equal eighths.

Solution

1. Write one-half in eighths: \(\frac{1}{2} = \frac{4}{8}\). 2. Add the known fractions: \(\frac{1}{8} + \frac{4}{8} = \frac{5}{8}\). 3. Find the fraction that is apple juice: \(1 - \frac{5}{8} = \frac{3}{8}\). 4. Since \(\frac{3}{8}\) of the punch is \(12\,\text{fl oz}\), one-eighth is \(12\,\text{fl oz} \div 3 = 4\,\text{fl oz}\). 5. Eight eighths equal \(8 \times 4\,\text{fl oz} = 32\,\text{fl oz}\).

Answer

The pitcher contains \(32\,\text{fl oz}\) of punch.
5213575
A family bicycles \(14.6\,\text{mi}\) to a rest stop and then another \(7.9\,\text{mi}\) to an old bridge. At the bridge, they have completed three-fourths of the entire route. What is the total length of the bicycle route?

Hints

- Add the distances already traveled. - The result represents three equal parts of the whole. - Divide by \(3\) to find one part, then multiply by \(4\).

Solution

1. Add the completed sections: \(14.6+7.9=22.5\,\text{mi}\). 2. The \(22.5\,\text{mi}\) represents \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the route. One-fourth is \(22.5\div 3=7.5\,\text{mi}\). 3. The whole route is \(7.5\times 4=30\,\text{mi}\).

Answer

The bicycle route is \(30\,\text{mi}\) long.
5223285
An aquarium has a capacity of \(V\) gallons and is \(\frac{4}{5}\) full. To clean it, \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the aquarium's total capacity is drained. a) What fraction of the total capacity remains in the aquarium? b) How many gallons remain when \(V=80\) gallons?

Hints

- Identify the fraction of the capacity that was filled at the start. - Use a common denominator before subtracting the fractions. - The fraction drained is based on the aquarium's total capacity. - Substitute the given value of \(V\) after finding the remaining fraction.

Solution

1. Subtract the drained fraction from the starting fraction: \(\frac{4}{5}-\frac{1}{4}=\frac{16}{20}-\frac{5}{20}=\frac{11}{20}\). 2. For \(V=80\), calculate \(80\times\frac{11}{20}=44\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{11}{20}\) b) \(44\) gallons
5319815
A rectangular community garden is divided into equal plots, as shown. The shaded strawberry plots have a combined area of \(12\,\text{m}^2\). a) What fraction of the whole garden is shaded? b) Let \(A\) be the total area of the garden. Write a fraction multiplication equation of the form \(\text{fraction}\times A=12\), then solve for \(A\).
Figure for problem 531981

Hints

- Use the image to compare the number of shaded equal plots with the total number of equal plots. - Express the shaded area as a fraction of an unknown whole area. - Solve the fraction equation by reasoning about equal fifths of the whole.

Solution

1. The diagram shows \(6\) shaded plots out of \(15\), so the shaded fraction is \(\frac{6}{15}=\frac{2}{5}\). 2. The shaded area is \(\frac{2}{5}\) of the whole garden, so \(\frac{2}{5}\times A=12\). 3. Five equal fifths together have area \(12\times\frac{5}{2}=30\,\text{m}^2\), so \(A=30\,\text{m}^2\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{2}{5}\) b) \(\frac{2}{5}\times A=12\), so \(A=30\,\text{m}^2\).
5355055
Part of a large chocolate bar has been eaten. The blue pieces in the diagram are the pieces that remain, and together they weigh \(105\,\text{g}\). a) What fraction of the original bar remains? b) Let \(M\) be the original mass. Write a fraction multiplication equation relating the remaining fraction to \(105\,\text{g}\), then find \(M\).
Figure for problem 535505

Hints

- Count the remaining equal pieces and all equal pieces to write a fraction of the whole. - Use that fraction as a multiplier of the unknown original mass. - Reason from seven twelfths to one twelfth, then to twelve twelfths.

Solution

1. The model has \(24\) equal pieces, with \(14\) remaining, so the remaining fraction is \(\frac{14}{24}=\frac{7}{12}\). 2. Therefore \(\frac{7}{12}\times M=105\). 3. One twelfth of the whole has mass \(105\div7=15\,\text{g}\). Twelve twelfths have mass \(12\times15=180\,\text{g}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{7}{12}\) remains. b) \(\frac{7}{12}\times M=105\), so \(M=180\,\text{g}\).
5408664
Two art teams each start with a pack of \(48\) sheets of colored paper. Team A uses \(\frac{5}{8}\) of its pack. Team B uses \(\frac{2}{3}\) of its pack. Which team uses more paper, and how many more sheets does it use?

Hints

- Find the fraction of the full pack used by each team. - Compare the two resulting sheet counts. - The question asks for both which team used more and the difference.

Solution

1. Team A uses \(\frac{5}{8}\times48=30\) sheets. 2. Team B uses \(\frac{2}{3}\times48=32\) sheets. 3. Team B uses \(32-30=2\) more sheets.

Answer

Team B uses \(2\) more sheets.
5409005
A board is \(4\frac{5}{6}\,\text{ft}\) long. A piece measuring \(2\frac{3}{10}\,\text{ft}\) is cut from it. How much of the board remains? Write the length as a mixed number in simplest form.

Hints

- Subtract the cut length from the original board length. - Rewrite the fractional parts using equal-sized pieces. - Simplify the fractional part and keep the length unit.

Solution

1. Subtract the cut length from the original length: \(4\frac{5}{6}-2\frac{3}{10}\). 2. Use denominator \(30\): \(\frac{5}{6}=\frac{25}{30}\) and \(\frac{3}{10}=\frac{9}{30}\). 3. Subtract: \(4\frac{25}{30}-2\frac{9}{30}=2\frac{16}{30}=2\frac{8}{15}\).

Answer

\(2\frac{8}{15}\,\text{ft}\) of the board remains.
5409305
A graphic novel has \(96\) pages. Maya reads \(\frac{3}{8}\) of the book on Saturday and \(\frac{5}{12}\) on Sunday. a) Using fraction addition and subtraction before converting anything to page counts, what fraction of the book is unread? b) How many pages are unread?

Hints

- Part a) explicitly asks for the fraction of the same whole book, so combine the two reading fractions first. - Subtract the fraction read from one whole. - Only after finding the unread fraction should you apply it to the page count.

Solution

1. Add the fractions read: \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{5}{12}=\frac{9}{24}+\frac{10}{24}=\frac{19}{24}\). 2. Subtract from one whole: \(1-\frac{19}{24}=\frac{5}{24}\), so \(\frac{5}{24}\) of the book is unread. 3. Find \(\frac{5}{24}\) of \(96\): \(96\div24=4\), then \(5\times4=20\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{5}{24}\) of the book is unread. b) \(20\) pages are unread.
5409745
By the end of Monday, Eli has read \(\frac{2}{7}\) of a novel. On Tuesday, he reads another \(\frac{3}{10}\) of the same novel. His goal is to have read \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the novel by then. Does he meet the goal? If not, what fraction of the novel is he short?

Hints

- First combine the two fractions that refer to the same whole novel. - Then compare the total read with the target fraction. - If the target is larger, subtract the amount read from the target.

Solution

1. Add the portions read: \(\frac{2}{7}+\frac{3}{10}=\frac{20}{70}+\frac{21}{70}=\frac{41}{70}\). 2. Compare with the goal: \(\frac{3}{4}=\frac{105}{140}\) and \(\frac{41}{70}=\frac{82}{140}\). 3. The shortfall is \(\frac{105}{140}-\frac{82}{140}=\frac{23}{140}\). 4. Since \(\frac{41}{70}<\frac{3}{4}\), Eli does not meet the goal.

Answer

No. Eli is \(\frac{23}{140}\) of the novel short of his goal.
5410455
Two checkpoints lie at \(\frac{5}{12}\) and \(\frac{7}{10}\) of the way along the same race course. What fraction of the entire course lies between the checkpoints? Is that distance greater than \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the course?

Hints

- The distance between two positions on the same whole can be found by subtracting their fractional locations. - Use a common denominator for the two checkpoint fractions. - Compare the resulting distance with an equivalent form of \(\frac{1}{4}\).

Solution

1. Subtract the checkpoint positions: \(\frac{7}{10}-\frac{5}{12}\). 2. Use denominator \(60\): \(\frac{7}{10}=\frac{42}{60}\) and \(\frac{5}{12}=\frac{25}{60}\). 3. The distance between them is \(\frac{42}{60}-\frac{25}{60}=\frac{17}{60}\). 4. Since \(\frac{1}{4}=\frac{15}{60}\), the distance \(\frac{17}{60}\) is greater than \(\frac{1}{4}\).

Answer

The checkpoints are \(\frac{17}{60}\) of the course apart, which is greater than \(\frac{1}{4}\).
5410955
Before a school concert begins, \(\frac{2}{9}\) of all seats are empty. Then more guests arrive and fill seats equal to \(\frac{1}{6}\) of all the seats in the auditorium. What fraction of all seats are still empty? What fraction are occupied?

Hints

- Both fractions refer to the same total number of seats. - First find how much of the original empty portion remains after more seats are filled. - The occupied fraction is the part of one whole not left empty.

Solution

1. The newly filled seats reduce the empty fraction: \(\frac{2}{9}-\frac{1}{6}\). 2. Use denominator \(18\): \(\frac{2}{9}=\frac{4}{18}\) and \(\frac{1}{6}=\frac{3}{18}\). 3. The empty fraction is \(\frac{4}{18}-\frac{3}{18}=\frac{1}{18}\). 4. The occupied fraction is \(1-\frac{1}{18}=\frac{17}{18}\).

Answer

\(\frac{1}{18}\) of the seats are empty and \(\frac{17}{18}\) are occupied.
5544405
At breakfast, Tessa drinks \(\frac{2}{5}\) cup of milk and \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup of juice. a) Without finding a common denominator or the exact sum, use benchmark inequalities to prove whether the total is closer to \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup or \(1\) cup. Your argument must locate the total relative to the midpoint \(\frac{3}{4}\). b) Then find the exact total.

Hints

- The midpoint between \(\frac{1}{2}\) and \(1\) is \(\frac{3}{4}\). - Compare \(\frac{2}{5}\) separately with \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{1}{2}\); do not compute the exact sum yet. - Use those inequalities to bracket the total before doing exact addition.

Solution

1. Since \(\frac{2}{5}>\frac{1}{4}\), the total is greater than \(\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{1}{2}\). 2. Since \(\frac{2}{5}<\frac{1}{2}\), the total is less than \(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\). Therefore the total lies between \(\frac{1}{2}\) and the midpoint \(\frac{3}{4}\), so it is closer to \(\frac{1}{2}\) than to \(1\). 3. Exactly, \(\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{4}=\frac{8}{20}+\frac{5}{20}=\frac{13}{20}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{2}<\frac{2}{5}+\frac{1}{4}<\frac{3}{4}\), so the total is closer to \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup. b) The exact total is \(\frac{13}{20}\) cup.
5544415
A stage crew uses \(\frac{3}{8}\) of a roll of tape in the morning and \(\frac{2}{5}\) in the afternoon. Devin estimates that about \(\frac{4}{5}\) of the roll was used. a) Without adding exactly, prove that the total used is between \(\frac{3}{4}\) and \(\frac{4}{5}\). Use that bound to judge Devin's estimate. b) Then find the exact fraction used and the fraction remaining.

Hints

- Compare \(\frac{3}{8}\) and \(\frac{2}{5}\) without adding them. - Replace both addends by the smaller one for a lower bound and by the larger one for an upper bound. - Only after the bound is established should you use a common denominator for the exact result.

Solution

1. Since \(\frac{2}{5}>\frac{3}{8}\), the total is greater than \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{3}{8}=\frac{3}{4}\). 2. Since \(\frac{3}{8}<\frac{2}{5}\), the total is less than \(\frac{2}{5}+\frac{2}{5}=\frac{4}{5}\). Thus \(\frac{3}{4}<\text{total}<\frac{4}{5}\), so \(\frac{4}{5}\) is a reasonable nearby upper estimate. 3. Exactly, \(\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{5}=\frac{15}{40}+\frac{16}{40}=\frac{31}{40}\). 4. The fraction remaining is \(1-\frac{31}{40}=\frac{9}{40}\).

Answer

a) \(\frac{3}{4}<\frac{3}{8}+\frac{2}{5}<\frac{4}{5}\), so Devin's estimate is reasonable. b) Exactly \(\frac{31}{40}\) was used and \(\frac{9}{40}\) remains.
5544425
An art club starts with \(6\) yards of paper. It uses \(2\frac{3}{8}\) yards for a backdrop and \(1\frac{5}{6}\) yards for signs. Priya estimates that about \(2\) yards remain. a) Without calculating the exact remainder, use simple mixed-number bounds to prove that the remainder lies between \(1\frac{1}{2}\) and \(2\) yards. Use that interval to judge Priya's estimate. b) Then find the exact amount left.

Hints

- Bound each used length by nearby quarters, halves, or whole numbers before adding exactly. - Use those bounds to create an interval for the total amount used, then subtract the interval endpoints from \(6\). - Do the exact common-denominator calculation only after the reasonableness interval is established.

Solution

1. \(2\frac{1}{4}<2\frac{3}{8}<2\frac{1}{2}\), and \(1\frac{3}{4}<1\frac{5}{6}<2\). 2. Therefore the amount used is greater than \(2\frac{1}{4}+1\frac{3}{4}=4\) yards and less than \(2\frac{1}{2}+2=4\frac{1}{2}\) yards. 3. Subtracting those bounds from \(6\) shows the remainder is greater than \(1\frac{1}{2}\) and less than \(2\) yards, so “about \(2\) yards” is reasonable. 4. Exactly, \(2\frac{3}{8}+1\frac{5}{6}=\frac{101}{24}=4\frac{5}{24}\). Thus \(6-4\frac{5}{24}=1\frac{19}{24}\) yards remain.

Answer

a) The benchmark bounds give \(1\frac{1}{2}<\text{remainder}<2\), so Priya's estimate is reasonable. b) Exactly \(1\frac{19}{24}\) yards remain.
5105795
Nadia spends \(\frac{3}{8}\) of her money on a gift. The gift costs \(\$45\). a) What was the original amount of money? b) How much money remains after the purchase?

Hints

- Use the value of \(\frac{3}{8}\) to find the value of \(\frac{1}{8}\). - Once you know one eighth, find all eight eighths. - After spending three eighths, determine how many eighths remain.

Solution

1. Since \(\frac{3}{8}\) of the total is \(\$45\), one eighth is \(\$45\div3=\$15\). 2. The whole amount is \(8\times\$15=\$120\). 3. The amount left is \(\$120-\$45=\$75\). Equivalently, \(\frac{5}{8}\) remains, and \(5\times\$15=\$75\).

Answer

a) \(\$120\) b) \(\$75\)
5107374
Kofi has \(10\) gallons of white paint. He fills \(6\) small containers with \(\frac{3}{8}\) gallon each and \(4\) larger containers with \(\frac{3}{4}\) gallon each. How many gallons remain in the original bucket?

Hints

- Find the total amount placed in each type of container. - Add the amounts removed. - Subtract from the original amount.

Solution

1. The small containers use \(6\times\frac{3}{8}=\frac{18}{8}=2\frac{1}{4}\) gallons. 2. The larger containers use \(4\times\frac{3}{4}=3\) gallons. 3. The total removed is \(2\frac{1}{4}+3=5\frac{1}{4}\) gallons. 4. The amount remaining is \(10-5\frac{1}{4}=4\frac{3}{4}\) gallons.

Answer

\(4\frac{3}{4}\) gallons remain.
5107384
A juice bar sells two cup sizes: Standard, which holds \(\frac{1}{3}\,\text{qt}\), and Large, which holds \(\frac{1}{2}\,\text{qt}\). During the morning, the shop sells \(15\) Standard cups and \(12\) Large cups. The juice comes in \(5\)-quart containers. a) How many quarts of juice were sold? b) What is the minimum number of containers that had to be opened? c) How much juice remains in the last container opened?

Hints

- Find the total sold in each cup size. - Add those amounts. - Determine how many \(5\)-quart containers are needed to reach or exceed the total.

Solution

1. Standard cups use \(15\times\frac{1}{3}=5\) quarts. 2. Large cups use \(12\times\frac{1}{2}=6\) quarts. 3. The total sold is \(5+6=11\) quarts. 4. Two containers hold only \(10\) quarts, so \(3\) containers must be opened. 5. Three containers hold \(15\) quarts. The amount remaining is \(15-11=4\) quarts.

Answer

a) \(11\) quarts b) \(3\) containers c) \(4\) quarts
5111705
A juice bottle is being emptied. First, \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the juice is poured into a glass. Then \(\frac{2}{3}\) of the remaining juice is poured into a pitcher. Exactly \(150\,\text{mL}\) remains in the bottle. How much juice was in the bottle at first?

Hints

- Find the fraction remaining after the first pour. - Interpret \(\frac{2}{3}\) of the remainder as multiplication. - Use the final fraction and \(150\,\text{mL}\) to find the whole.

Solution

1. After the first pour, \(1-\frac{1}{4}=\frac{3}{4}\) of the original amount remains. 2. The pitcher receives \(\frac{2}{3}\times\frac{3}{4}=\frac{1}{2}\) of the original amount. 3. The bottle keeps \(\frac{3}{4}-\frac{1}{2}=\frac{1}{4}\) of the original amount. 4. If \(\frac{1}{4}\) is \(150\,\text{mL}\), the whole amount is \(150\times4=600\,\text{mL}\).

Answer

\(600\,\text{mL}\)
5111715
A rain barrel is partly filled. First, \(\frac{3}{10}\) of the water is used for flower beds. Then half of the remaining water is used for a small pond. Afterward, \(21\,\text{L}\) remains. Find the original amount of water in liters and milliliters.

Hints

- Find the fraction remaining after each use. - Half of a remainder means multiply that remainder by \(\frac{1}{2}\). - Use the remaining fraction and \(21\,\text{L}\) to find the whole.

Solution

1. After watering the flower beds, \(1-\frac{3}{10}=\frac{7}{10}\) of the original amount remains. 2. Half of that remainder is used, so the fraction still in the barrel is \(\frac{1}{2}\times\frac{7}{10}=\frac{7}{20}\). 3. Let \(V\) be the original volume. Then \(\frac{7}{20}V=21\), so \(V=21\times\frac{20}{7}=60\,\text{L}\). 4. Since \(1\,\text{L}=1000\,\text{mL}\), \(60\,\text{L}=60{,}000\,\text{mL}\).

Answer

\(60\,\text{L}\), or \(60{,}000\,\text{mL}\)
5111725
A bucket of paint is used for a renovation. The first wall uses \(\frac{2}{9}\) of the paint. The second wall uses \(\frac{3}{7}\) of the paint that remains. After both walls are painted, \(1200\,\text{mL}\) remains. How many liters of paint were in the bucket at first?

Hints

- Find the fraction remaining after each wall. - Multiply to find a fraction of a remainder. - Convert the final answer from milliliters to liters.

Solution

1. After the first wall, \(1-\frac{2}{9}=\frac{7}{9}\) of the original amount remains. 2. The second wall uses \(\frac{3}{7}\times\frac{7}{9}=\frac{1}{3}\) of the original amount. 3. The remaining fraction is \(\frac{7}{9}-\frac{1}{3}=\frac{4}{9}\). 4. If \(\frac{4}{9}\) is \(1200\,\text{mL}\), then \(\frac{1}{9}\) is \(300\,\text{mL}\), so the whole amount is \(2700\,\text{mL}=2.7\,\text{L}\).

Answer

\(2.7\,\text{L}\)
5112704
An inflatable boat can safely carry at most \(550\,\text{lb}\). Jonah weighs \(120\,\text{lb}\), and his gear weighs \(90\,\text{lb}\). His sister Mia weighs \(\frac{4}{5}\) as much as Jonah. Their father weighs twice as much as Mia. Can all three people and the gear ride safely without exceeding the limit?

Hints

- Find Mia’s weight first. - Use Mia’s weight to find the father’s weight. - Add all three people and the gear, then compare with the limit.

Solution

1. Mia weighs \(\frac{4}{5}\times120=96\,\text{lb}\). 2. Their father weighs \(2\times96=192\,\text{lb}\). 3. The total load is \(120+90+96+192=498\,\text{lb}\). 4. Since \(498\le550\), the load is within the limit.

Answer

Yes. The total load is \(498\,\text{lb}\), which is below the \(550\,\text{lb}\) limit.
5113924
A school garden has a total area of \(6000\,\text{ft}^2\). Flowers are planted on \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the area. Of the remaining area, \(\frac{2}{3}\) is used for vegetables. The rest is lawn. What is the area of the lawn?

Hints

- Find the flower area and subtract it from the total. - The vegetable fraction applies to the remaining area, not the original total. - Subtract the vegetable area from the remaining area.

Solution

1. The flower area is \(\frac{1}{4}\times6000=1500\,\text{ft}^2\). 2. The remaining area is \(6000-1500=4500\,\text{ft}^2\). 3. The vegetable area is \(\frac{2}{3}\times4500=3000\,\text{ft}^2\). 4. The lawn area is \(4500-3000=1500\,\text{ft}^2\).

Answer

The lawn has an area of \(1500\,\text{ft}^2\).
5358085
A trail runs from a mountain town to a cabin. The shaded part of the bar represents the forest section, and the unshaded part represents the sunny-meadow section. The entire trail is exactly \(6\) miles longer than the forest section. a) What fraction of the entire trail is the unshaded section? b) Let \(L\) be the entire trail length. Write a fraction multiplication equation for the unshaded section and use it to find \(L\).
Figure for problem 535808

Hints

- Read the unshaded fraction directly from the equal-part bar. - The stated \(6\)-mile difference is exactly the unshaded part. - Represent that part as a fraction of the unknown whole before finding the total length.

Solution

1. The bar is divided into \(4\) equal parts, and one part is unshaded, so the sunny-meadow section is \(\frac{1}{4}\) of the trail. 2. The difference between the whole trail and the forest section is the unshaded section, so that section is \(6\) miles long. 3. Thus \(\frac{1}{4}\times L=6\). Four fourths have length \(4\times6=24\) miles, so \(L=24\) miles.

Answer

a) \(\frac{1}{4}\) b) \(\frac{1}{4}\times L=6\), so \(L=24\) miles.
5544435
A cooler holds \(8\) gallons of water. During three activities, groups use \(2\frac{5}{6}\) gallons, \(1\frac{7}{12}\) gallons, and \(1\frac{3}{4}\) gallons. Asha claims that less than \(2\) gallons remain. Use benchmark reasoning to judge the claim before doing exact arithmetic, then find the exact amount remaining.

Hints

- First replace the mixed numbers with nearby benchmark amounts that are easy to combine mentally. - For the exact calculation, use one common denominator for all three fractional parts. - Compare the exact remainder with \(2\) gallons only after completing the calculation.

Solution

1. For a benchmark check, the used amounts are about \(3\), \(1\frac{1}{2}\), and \(1\frac{3}{4}\) gallons. Their total is a little more than \(6\) gallons, so less than \(2\) gallons remaining is plausible. 2. Rename the fractional parts in twelfths: \(2\frac{5}{6}=2\frac{10}{12}\), \(1\frac{7}{12}\), and \(1\frac{3}{4}=1\frac{9}{12}\). 3. Add: \(2\frac{10}{12}+1\frac{7}{12}+1\frac{9}{12}=4+\frac{26}{12}=6\frac{1}{6}\). 4. Subtract from the total: \(8-6\frac{1}{6}=1\frac{5}{6}\). 5. Since \(1\frac{5}{6}<2\), Asha's claim is correct.

Answer

Asha's claim is reasonable and correct. Exactly \(1\frac{5}{6}\) gallons remain.

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