## Elementary Technical Mathematics

Published by Brooks Cole

# Chapter 1 - Section 1.8 - Multiplication and Division of Fractions - Exercise - Page 48: 49

#### Answer

$\frac{15}{8}$ inches

#### Work Step by Step

Let $m$ be the distance between consecutive rivets. Having 16 equally-spaced rivets means the total distance is equal to $15m$. Thus, $15m = 28\frac{1}{8} \\15m \div 15 = 28\frac{1}{8} \div 15 \\m = 28\frac{1}{8} \div 15$ Use the rule $\frac{a}{b} \div c = \frac{a}{b} \times \frac{1}{c}$ to obtain: $m=28\frac{1}{8} \times \frac{1}{15}$ Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction to obtain: $\require{cancel} m=\frac{8(28)+1}{8} \times \frac{1}{15} \\m=\frac{225}{8} \times \frac{1}{15} \\m=\frac{\cancel{225}15}{8} \times \frac{1}{\cancel{15}} \\m=\frac{15}{8}$ Therefore, the distance between consecutive rivets is $\frac{15}{8}$ inches.

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