8.09 Story problems with multiplying fractions and mixed numbers
Are you ready?
Do you remember how to multiply mixed numbers?
Find the value of $1\frac{1}{7}\times2\frac{2}{5}$117×225.
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When a problem is given as a story or description, we first want to determine what value we are trying to solve for - this will often be in the last sentence. After that, we look back through the rest of the story to find:
- any numbers/values that we know
- a keyword that will tell us what operation to use
When the values in a story problem involves multiplying mixed numbers, we will often end up getting an answer as an improper fraction. Converting this back to a mixed number can often help us to better understand the answer in context.
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Question
Danielle takes $4\frac{7}{9}$479 minutes to drive from her home to the local shopping center. She spends $\frac{1}{9}$19 of this time waiting at traffic lights.
Find the number of minutes she spends waiting.
Make sure to read the whole question before attempting to solve the problem.
When multiplying with mixed numbers, it is usually easiest to convert them to improper fractions first.