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How to Convert Thirds to Eighths

You can convert any fraction to an expression with a different denominator, or bottom number. However, the result may not always be pretty, as when converting thirds to eighths. The numbers 3 and 8 share no common factors, meaning there is no number, aside from 1, that can divide into both 3 and 8 without a remainder. So when converting thirds to eighths, you will end up with a number of eighths that is not a whole number.

Instructions

    • 1

      Write a proportion of the two fractions, using x to represent the unknown numerator of the eighths.

      Example:

      How many eighths is 2/3?

      2/3 = x/8

    • 2

      Cross-multiply, multiplying the right-hand numerator with the left-hand denominator and the right-hand denominator with the right-hand numerator. Write the two results as equal to one another.

      Example:

      2/3 = x/8

      2*8 = x*3

      16 = 3x

    • 3

      Divide both sides by the number in front of the x. Write this answer in sentence form.

      Example:

      16 = 3x

      5.33... = x

      2/3 is equal to 5.33.../8.

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