Video Transcript
If 𝑚 is equal to 89.3 and 𝑝 equal 17.8, evaluate 𝑚 over 𝑝 or 𝑚 divided by 𝑝 to the nearest tenth.
As the fraction 𝑚 over 𝑝 is the same as 𝑚 divided by 𝑝, we need to divide 89.3 by 17.8. We could type this directly into the calculator. However, when dividing by decimals, it is often useful to turn the denominator or bottom number into a whole number or integer first. Multiplying the denominator 17.8 by 10 gives us 178 as when we multiply by 10, all the digits move one place to the left. When dealing with fractions, we must do the same to the top as we do to the bottom. Therefore, we need to multiply the numerator 89.3 by 10. This is equal to 893.
At this stage, it is worth looking for common factors of 893 and 178. However, there is no whole number or integer that divides into both of these numbers. Therefore, the fraction could not be simplified. This means that in this case, we just need to type 893 divided by 178 into our calculator. This gives us an answer of 5.0168539 et cetera.
We were asked in the question to give our answer to the nearest tenth. This is the same as rounding to one decimal place. As the one in the hundreds column is less than five, we round down. 893 divided by 178 is equal to 5.0 to one decimal place. This in turn means that 𝑚 divided by 𝑝 or 89.3 divided by 17.8 is also equal to 5.0.
