Short Answer
The cupcake division involves splitting a cupcake into thirds, with you and your sister each receiving one-third, while your cousin has ten-thirds (or 3 and 1/3 cupcakes). This illustrates that your cousin has more than one full cupcake, and the improper fraction can be converted into a mixed number for clarity.
Step 1: Understanding Cupcake Division
Dividing a cupcake into *thirds* means creating three equal pieces. When you slice a cupcake in this way, each piece represents one-third of the total cupcake. According to the distribution: you get one-third, your sister gets one-third, and your cousin receives ten-thirds of the cupcake.
Step 2: Analyzing the Fractions
Your cousin having ten-thirds (*10/3*) means they possess more than just one cupcake. To clarify, one whole cupcake equals *3/3*, and anything over that is additional. The breakdown is as follows:
- Your share: 1/3
- Your sister’s share: 1/3
- Your cousin’s share: 10/3 (or 3 and 1/3 cupcakes)
Step 3: Converting to Mixed Numbers
Improper fractions like *10/3* can be converted into mixed numbers. To convert, divide the numerator by the denominator. In our case, *10 divided by 3* equals 3, with a remainder of 1. Thus, you can express *10/3* as the mixed number *3 and 1/3*, to signify your cousin’s actual amount of cake.