Question:
A cord of length $71 \frac{1}{2} \mathrm{~m}$ has been cut into 26 pieces of equal length. What is the length of each piece?
Solution:
Length of each piece of the cord $=71 \frac{1}{2} \div 26$
$=\left(71+\frac{1}{2}\right) \div 26$
$=\frac{143}{2} \div 26$
$=\frac{143}{2} \div \frac{26}{1}$
$=\frac{143}{2} \times \frac{1}{26}$
$=\frac{143 \times 1}{2 \times 26}$
$=\frac{143}{52}$
$=\frac{9}{4}$
$=2 \frac{3}{4} \mathrm{~m}$
Hence, the length of each piece of the cord is $2 \frac{3}{4}$ metres.