Twofifths of the instruments in the marching band are brass

Two-fifths of the instruments in the marching band are brass. One-eighth of the brass instruments are tubas. What fraction of the band is tubas? If there are 240 band instruments total, how many are tubas? Compare simplifying before multiplying fractions with simplifying after multiplying the fractions.

Solution

Two fifths of the instruments are brass

one eight of the brass are tubas

So, Fraction of the band that are tubas = (2/5)*(1/8) = 1/20

If there are 240 band instruments

No. of brass insteruments = (2/5)*240 = 2*48 = 96

one eight of the brass are tubas = (1/8)*96 = 12