Question

Urvi solved a fraction division problem using the rule “multiply by the reciprocal.” Her work is shown below.

StartFraction 14 divided by StartFraction 2 Over 7 EndFraction. StartFraction 1 Over 14 EndFraction times StartFraction 2 Over 7 EndFraction = StartFraction 2 Over 98 EndFraction or StartFraction 1 Over 49 EndFraction

Which is the most accurate description of Urvi’s work?
Urvi solved the problem correctly.
Urvi multiplied the dividend by the divisor instead of finding the reciprocal.
Urvi multiplied the denominators instead of finding a common denominator.
Urvi multiplied with the reciprocal of the dividend instead of the reciprocal of the divisor.

Answer 1

The most accurate description of Urvi’s work is:

**Urvi multiplied with the reciprocal of the dividend instead of the reciprocal of the divisor.**

This is because when dividing fractions, you should multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor (the fraction you are dividing by), not the dividend. In this case, she incorrectly multiplied by the reciprocal of the dividend \( \frac{1}{14} \) rather than the reciprocal of the divisor \( \frac{7}{2} \).