Calculate $1 for 4 pens

Step by step

The question

Question: $1 for 4 pens.

How much for 1 pen?

A unit rate tells us how much for just 1.

Here: dollars for 1 pen.

1 Write it as a fraction

We write it as a fraction.

The money goes on top.

The pens go on the bottom.

2 Divide to get 1 at the bottom

We want 1 pen on the bottom.

4 divided by 4 is 1.

We divide the top by 4 too, so the rate stays the same.

1 divided by 4 is 0.25.

So it is 25 cents for 1 pen.

Per means for each.

So the unit rate is 25 cents per pen.

3 Check

Let's check: 4 pens at 25 cents per pen.

4 times 0.25 is 1.

That is 1 dollar, so it is right!

Let's look back.

First: write it as a fraction.

Then: divide to get 1 at the bottom.

Last: check.