Question

If you measure $\dfrac{5}{6}$ meter, how many twelfths have you measured ?

Answer 1

Hint: The given question is related to the concept of ratios and proportions. The sub-topic being unit conversions. In order to understand the question, we should understand the concept of ratios and proportions. Ratios are used to compare two things which share the same unit. It is represented by $\left( : \right)$ or $\left( / \right)$.Proportions on the other hand, allows us to check the equality of the two ratios. It is represented by $\left( {::} \right)$ or $\left( = \right)$.

Complete step by step answer:
Given is $\dfrac{5}{6}$ meter. As per the requirement of the question we have to convert the given fractional form in such a way that the denominator is $12$. This will tell us how many twelfths of a meter we have measured. In order to get the denominator as $12$, we will multiply both numerator and denominator with $2$ and we get,
$\therefore\dfrac{5}{6} \times \dfrac{2}{2} = \dfrac{{10}}{{12}}$
Therefore, we can say that we have measured $10$ twelfths of a meter.

Note:The given question was an easy one. Here, in this question we were asked to convert the meter into twelfths. The same procedure can be followed for similar types of questions. Students should understand the signs for ratios and proportions separately. The most common mistake which students tend to make is use the sign of double colon in place of single colon. Double colon sign is used to indicate proportion while single colon is for ratios. The keyword to identify a ratio is that every ratio problem has the word ‘to’.