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Question

How many one-thirds are there in 72?

The correct answer is

216

Understanding the Question: How Many One-Thirds are in 72?

The question asks how many times the fraction "one-third" (\(\frac{1}{3}\)) fits into the whole number 72. This type of problem requires us to perform division. We need to divide the total quantity (72) by the size of the part we are counting (\(\frac{1}{3}\)).

Step-by-Step Calculation to Find the Number of One-Thirds

To find out how many one-thirds are in 72, we set up the division problem:

Number of one-thirds = \(72 \div \frac{1}{3}\)

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. The reciprocal of \(\frac{1}{3}\) is \(\frac{3}{1}\) or simply 3.

So, the calculation becomes:

Number of one-thirds = \(72 \times 3\)

Now, we perform the multiplication:

  • Multiply 72 by 3.
  • \(72 \times 3 = (70 + 2) \times 3 = (70 \times 3) + (2 \times 3)\)
  • \(70 \times 3 = 210\)
  • \(2 \times 3 = 6\)
  • \(210 + 6 = 216\)

Therefore, there are 216 one-thirds in 72.

Checking the Options

Let's compare our calculated result with the given options:

Option Value Matches Calculation?
1 216 Yes
2 24 No
3 144 No
4 288 No

Our calculated value, 216, matches Option 1.

Conclusion on Number of One-Thirds in 72

Based on the division of 72 by one-third, we find that there are 216 one-thirds in 72. This aligns with Option 1.

Revision Table: Key Concepts for Finding One-Thirds

Concept Explanation How it applies here
Fraction A part of a whole, like \(\frac{1}{3}\). The question asks about counting parts (\(\frac{1}{3}\)).
Division Splitting a number into equal parts, or finding how many times one number fits into another. We divide the whole (72) by the size of the part (\(\frac{1}{3}\)).
Reciprocal Flipping a fraction (numerator becomes denominator and vice versa). Reciprocal of \(\frac{a}{b}\) is \(\frac{b}{a}\). To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal. Reciprocal of \(\frac{1}{3}\) is 3.
Multiplication Repeated addition, or scaling a number. We multiply 72 by 3 after changing the division problem.

Additional Information on Fractions and Division

When you ask "how many X are in Y?", you are essentially performing the operation \(Y \div X\).

For example:

  • How many 2s are in 10? \(10 \div 2 = 5\). There are five 2s in 10 (\(2+2+2+2+2=10\)).
  • How many apples are in 1 dozen? A dozen is 12 apples. \(12 \div 1 = 12\). There are twelve 1-apple units in 12 apples.
  • How many quarters are in 1 dollar? A quarter is $0.25. \(1 \div 0.25 = 4\). There are four quarters in a dollar. This is equivalent to \(1 \div \frac{1}{4} = 1 \times 4 = 4\).

Similarly, asking how many one-thirds are in 72 means calculating \(72 \div \frac{1}{3}\). This confirms the approach used in the solution.

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Important Questions from Integers

  1. The average of eleven consecutive positive integers is d. If the last two numbers are excluded, by how much will the average increase or decrease?
  2. The numerator of fraction is 3 more than the denominator. When 5 is added to the numerator and 2 is subtracted from the denominator, the fraction becomes 8/3, When the original fraction is divided by \(5 \frac{1}{2}\) , the fraction so obtained is:

  3. The sum of a non - zero number and twenty times its reciprocal is 9. What is the number?

  4. If \(\frac{{45}}{{53}} = \frac{1}{{a + \frac{1}{{b + \frac{1}{{c - \frac{2}{5}}}}}}},\)  where a, b and c are positive integers, then what is the value of (4a - b + 3c)

  5. The denominator of a fraction is 4 more than the double of its numerator. When 3 is added to the numerator and 3 is subtracted from denominator the fraction becomes 2/3. Then find the difference between denominator and numerator of the original fration. 

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