Misconceptions in Mathematics: Misconception 11

1 1
11: What is of ?
3 3

1 1 1 1
We now know that of (a) is x (‘of’ = ‘times’)
3 3 3 3

The rule for multiplying fractions is:

a c a×c
× =
b d b× d

1 1 1×1 1
which means that x = = . But where does this rule come from?
3 3 3×3 9

Let us apply this rule using the example of the cake:

Think of a piece that is one third ( 1 ) of the cake, i.e. which fits into the whole cake 3 times. Now
3
visualize a slice which is one third of the above piece. Clearly this will fit 9 times into the whole cake,
1 1 1 1 1
i.e. it is of the cake. This slice is of , the same as x .
9 3 3 3 3
1×1 
which is the same as 
1 1 1
So we have established why x =  , as in the rule given above.
3 3 9  3× 3 

1
Had we started with a fifth ( )of the cake, and then taken a slice one third of that fifth, clearly 15
5
such slices would have fitted into the whole cake, i.e. this slice would be one 15th of the cake (which
1
we can write as , because the 15, of course, came from the 3 x 5.
3×5
1 1 1(×1) 1
So we have established that x = = (again as in the rule).
3 5 3 × 5 15
1 7
Now, had we started with of seven cakes (rather than of 1), i.e. , and then went on, as before,
5 5
taking one third of the this, then the final piece would have been 7 times bigger (than the
1 1(× 7 )
above ), namely .
3× 5 3× 5

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 Misconceptions in Mathematics: Misconception 11

Finally, for the 'sub-division' of the cake, had we taken two thirds ( 2 ), rather than one third, the result
3
2 ×7
would be yet another 2 times bigger, i.e. .
3× 5
2 7 2×7
So, we have shown why x = , thus showing where the general rule
3 5 3 ×5
a c a×c
× = comes from.
b d b× d

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