Question

brian irons $\frac{2}{9}$ of his shirt in $3\frac{3}{5}$ minutes. if brian irons at a constant rate, how much of his shirt does he iron each minute?

Explanation:

Step1: Convert mixed number to improper fraction

First, convert \( 3\frac{3}{5} \) minutes to an improper fraction. \( 3\frac{3}{5}=\frac{3\times5 + 3}{5}=\frac{18}{5} \) minutes.

Step2: Find the rate

The rate is the amount of shirt ironed per minute. We know that in \( \frac{18}{5} \) minutes, \( \frac{2}{9} \) of the shirt is ironed. So the rate \( r \) is given by \( r=\frac{\frac{2}{9}}{\frac{18}{5}} \).

Step3: Divide the fractions

To divide fractions, we multiply by the reciprocal. So \( r = \frac{2}{9}\times\frac{5}{18}=\frac{2\times5}{9\times18}=\frac{10}{162}=\frac{5}{81} \).

Answer:

\(\frac{5}{81}\)