Solve the Nested Fraction: 2/(8·(4/(3·(10/(4·8)))) Step-by-Step

Nested Fractions with Order of Operations

2/(8(4/(3(10/(48)))))=? 2/(8\cdot(4/(3\cdot(10/(4\cdot8)))))=?

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:04 Always solve parentheses first, this rule applies inside parentheses too
00:09 Let's start with the innermost parentheses
00:20 Write division as a fraction
00:35 Move the multiplication to the numerator
00:51 Division is also multiplication by the inverse
01:05 Move the multiplication to the numerator
01:22 Division is also multiplication by the inverse
01:36 Move the multiplication to the numerator
01:44 Break down 10 into factors 2 and 5
01:51 Break down 4 into factors 2 and 2
01:57 Simplify what we can
02:11 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

2/(8(4/(3(10/(48)))))=? 2/(8\cdot(4/(3\cdot(10/(4\cdot8)))))=?

2

Step-by-step solution

First, we will start with the innermost parentheses, we rewrite the expression in fraction form:

2/(8(4/(3104×8)))= 2/(8\cdot(4/(3\cdot\frac{10}{4\times8})))=

We add the 3 to the numerator of the fraction and create a multiplication expression:

2/(8(4/(3×104×8)))= 2/(8\cdot(4/(\frac{3\times10}{4\times8})))=

Again, we address the innermost parentheses, we invert the fraction to create a multiplication expression:

2/(8(4×4×83×10))= 2/(8\cdot(4\times\frac{4\times8}{3\times10}))=

We add the 4 to the numerator of the fraction and create a multiplication exercise:

2/(84×4×83×10)= 2/(8\cdot\frac{4\times4\times8}{3\times10})=

We add the 8 to the numerator of the fraction and create a multiplication exercise:

2:8×4×4×83×10= 2:\frac{8\times4\times4\times8}{3\times10}=

Now we will invert the fraction to create a multiplication exercise:

2×3×108×4×4×8= 2\times\frac{3\times10}{8\times4\times4\times8}=

We add the 2 to the numerator of the fraction and create a multiplication exercise:

2×3×108×4×4×8= \frac{2\times3\times10}{8\times4\times4\times8}=

We break down the 10 in the numerator and the 4 in the denominator into smaller multiplication exercises:

2×3×2×58×2×2×4×8= \frac{2\times3\times2\times5}{8\times2\times2\times4\times8}=

We simplify to 2 in the numerator and denominator:

3×58×4×8= \frac{3\times5}{8\times4\times8}=

We solve the multiplication exercises in the numerator and denominator from left to right:

3×58×4×8=1532×8=15256 \frac{3\times5}{8\times4\times8}=\frac{15}{32\times8}=\frac{15}{256}

3

Final Answer

15256 \frac{15}{256}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Solve nested fractions from innermost parentheses working outward
  • Technique: Convert division by fraction to multiplication: 4÷3032=4×3230 4 ÷ \frac{30}{32} = 4 \times \frac{32}{30}
  • Check: Verify by multiplying final answer by all denominators equals original numerator ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Working from outside to inside instead of innermost first
    Don't start with the outermost 2÷8 first = completely wrong order! This ignores the nested structure and gives incorrect intermediate results. Always start with the deepest nested fraction and work your way out step by step.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 100-(5+55)= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know which fraction to solve first in nested fractions?

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Always start with the innermost parentheses! In this problem, begin with 104×8 \frac{10}{4 \times 8} first, then work your way outward level by level.

Why do we flip fractions when dividing?

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Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. When you see a÷bc a ÷ \frac{b}{c} , it becomes a×cb a \times \frac{c}{b} .

What if I get confused with all the nested levels?

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Take it one step at a time! Write out each step clearly and simplify completely before moving to the next level. Don't try to do multiple steps at once.

How can I check if my final answer is correct?

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Substitute your answer back through each level of the original expression. If 15256 \frac{15}{256} is correct, then 15256×256÷2=7.5 \frac{15}{256} \times 256 ÷ 2 = 7.5 should match intermediate calculations.

Can I use a calculator for this type of problem?

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Yes, but be very careful with parentheses! Enter exactly as written: 2÷(8×(4÷(3×(10÷(4×8))))). Missing even one parenthesis will give you the wrong answer.

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