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Finding What Cancels

Date: 03/26/2003 at 19:44:55
From: Amanda
Subject: Algebra

Question:

(1 1/2)(1 1/3)(1 1/4)(1 1/5)....

Find how many factors it will take to reach the product of 1000.

Date: 03/27/2003 at 00:37:42
From: Doctor Ian
Subject: Re: Algebra

Hi Amanda,

It's easier to see if you write the mixed numbers as improper 
fractions,

     (1 1/2)(1 1/3)(1 1/4)(1 1/5)....

  = (3/2)(4/3)(5/4)(6/5)...

    3   4   5   6   
  = - * - * - * - * ...
    2   3   4   5

which makes it easier to see what cancels. 

Does this help?

- Doctor Ian, The Math Forum
  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Associated Topics:
Elementary Fractions
Elementary Multiplication

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