Calculating Portions: A Simple Math Problem and Its Real-World Application

Math problems can be found in the most unexpected places, from the kitchen to the classroom. In this article, we will explore a common fraction problem and its practical application. The question at hand is, if George has 1/3 of a pan of brownies and he eats 1/4 of that amount, what fraction of the pan does George eat?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to multiply the two fractions together. The steps are as follows:

1. Identify the fractions involved: George has 1/3 of the pan and eats 1/4 of that portion.

2. Multiply the fractions:

(text{Fraction eaten} frac{1}{3} times frac{1}{4})

3. Perform the multiplication:

(text{Fraction eaten} frac{1 times 1}{3 times 4} frac{1}{12})

Therefore, George eats 1/12 of the pan of brownies.

1/12 of the pan of brownies

Verification

To verify our solution, we can use a proof by checking if the inverse of our result brings us back to the original fraction:

Statement: Y 1/12 Multiplication: Y × 12 1 Calculation: (1/12) × 12 1 Verification: 1 1

Practical Application

Understanding fractions is not just important for solving mathematical problems; it is also useful in everyday life. For instance, it can help in cooking, baking, and sharing food. If you have a pan of brownies and want to share it equally, understanding fractions can help you divide it accurately.

For example, if you have 2/3 of a pan and want to share it with two friends, each person would get:

(frac{2}{3} ÷ 3 frac{2}{3} times frac{1}{3} frac{2}{9})

Each friend would get 2/9 of the pan, showing the practical application of fractions in sharing.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored a simple math problem involving fractions and demonstrated how to solve it. We have also shown how understanding fractions can be useful in real-world scenarios. Fractions are not just abstract concepts but tools that can help us solve practical problems, such as sharing food evenly or calculating portions in a recipe.

About the Author

This article was written by an SEO expert from Google, combining mathematical precision with practical application to make the content both informative and engaging.