Mathnasium #MathTricks: Fractions (Wholes and Parts Part 3) By Mathnasium
Welcome to Mathnasium’s Math Tricks series. Today we are finding the value of the part, in a Wholes and Parts problem.
In a Wholes and Parts problem, sometimes we have the whole and the given part, and we need to find the what part. When we are asked, “What part of a bigger number is a smaller number?” it is the same as being asked, “What fraction of the bigger number is the smaller number?” — this gives us the what part. Note that here, “is” means “equals.”
To find the value of the "what part", we use the following steps:
Identify the whole and the given part. Compare the given part to the whole as a fraction in lowest terms.
Follow the examples below to find the what part.
Example 1: 8 is what part of 72? Step 1: Identify the whole and the given part. The whole is 72. The given part is 8.
Step 2: Compare the given part to the whole as a fraction in lowest terms.
8/72 = 1/9 Answer: 1/9
Example 2: A candy jar contains 9 lollipops, 14 gumballs, and 7 sour keys. What part of the candies are lollipops? Step 1: Identify the whole and the given part. The whole is 30 (9 lollipops + 14 gumballs + 7 sour keys). The given part is 9 lollipops.
Step 2: Compare the given part to the whole as a fraction in lowest terms.
9/30 = 3/10 Answer: 3/10
Now, with this strategy, you are ready to use this Mathnasium Math Trick to find the value of the "what part" in a Wholes and Parts problem.
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