When you divide a positive fraction by a fraction less than 1, the quotient is always: Smaller than the dividend Equal to the dividend Larger than the dividend Zero

Answer: Larger than the dividend

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Express the division using reciprocal multiplication

Let the positive dividend fraction be aa, where a>0a > 0, and the divisor fraction be bb, where 0<b<10 < b < 1. Dividing by a fraction is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal, 1b\frac{1}{b}.

Step 2: Analyze the reciprocal of a fraction less than 1

Since the divisor bb is a positive fraction strictly less than 1, its reciprocal 1b\frac{1}{b} must be strictly greater than 1. For example, if b=12b = \frac{1}{2}, its reciprocal is 21=2\frac{2}{1} = 2, which is greater than 1.

Step 3: Compare the quotient with the dividend

Multiplying any positive number aa by a factor greater than 1 produces a result strictly greater than aa. Therefore, the quotient is always larger than the dividend.

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