Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Basic Math Placement Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Get ready for the ALEKS Basic Math Placement Test. Study with interactive quizzes and detailed explanations. Prepare to excel!

Practice this question and more.

What method is used when dividing fractions?

Multiply by the reciprocal
Add the fractions first
Find a common denominator
Just divide the numerators

The correct answer is: Multiply by the reciprocal

When dividing fractions, the method used is to multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction. This process involves taking the second fraction (the divisor), flipping it upside down to create its reciprocal, and then multiplying it by the first fraction (the dividend). For example, if you are dividing 1/2 by 3/4, you would convert it to 1/2 multiplied by 4/3, which simplifies the calculation and allows you to obtain the correct quotient. This method works because division can be thought of as finding how many times one number fits into another, and multiplying by the reciprocal effectively allows for this comparison in a straightforward way. It streamlines the division process, making it easier to calculate without needing to convert to a common denominator or other more complex operations.