Step by step
The question
Question: work out (1/2 + 1/4) ÷ 3/8.
1 Brackets first
Brackets come first.
The bottom numbers are 2 and 4.
They are different, so we can't add the tops yet.
We count up in 2s and in 4s.
4 is the first number in both lists.
So 4 will be the new bottom.
2 times 2 is 4.
So 1/2 gets times 2/2.
1/4 already has 4 at the bottom.
We multiply the top and the bottom by the same number.
2/2 is 1.
Times 1 does not change the size.
So the fraction stays the same, only the bottom changes.
Top times top.
Bottom times bottom.
1 times 2 is 2.
2 times 2 is 4.
Now both have 4 at the bottom.
The bottoms are the same, so the pieces are the same size.
We add the tops.
The bottom stays 4, because the size of the pieces does not change.
2 plus 1 is 3.
2 Times and divide
Dividing by a fraction is the same as times its flip.
Keep the first number.
Change divide to times.
Turn the second fraction upside down.
So 3/8 becomes 8/3, and divide becomes times.
Before we multiply, we make the numbers smaller.
3 on top and 3 at the bottom both divide by 3.
8 on top and 4 at the bottom both divide by 4.
A top and a bottom divided by the same number: the answer stays the same.
So we multiply smaller numbers.
1 times 2 is 2.
So the answer is 2.
Let's look back.
First: brackets first.
Last: times and divide.