Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)Number and QuantityEasy
A chef is preparing a recipe that calls for 3/8 cup of olive oil. If the chef only wants to make 2/3 of the recipe, how much olive oil, in cups, will be needed?
- A1/4 cup
- B3/4 cup
- C1/2 cup
- D5/12 cup
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1/4 cup
To find a fraction of a fraction, multiply the two fractions. Multiply 3/8 cup by 2/3 to determine the amount of olive oil needed for 2/3 of the recipe.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect calculation; this is larger than the original amount, which is not possible for a fraction of a recipe.
- C. Incorrect calculation; likely an error in multiplication or simplification.
- D. Incorrect calculation; this might be the result of adding or an incorrect operation.
Multiplying Fractions
To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator and multiply the denominators together to get the new denominator. Simplify the resulting fraction if possible.
- Numerator * Numerator, Denominator * Denominator.
- Simplify before or after multiplication for easier calculation.
- Often used to find 'a fraction of a fraction'.
Memory trick: Top times top, bottom times bottom, then simplify, and the answer's got 'em!