Example.  Multiply 7/8 by 5/6.

7/8 x 5/6 = 35/48.  Ans.

TO DIVIDE FRACTIONS.

Multiply the dividend by the divisor inverted.

Example.  Divide 7/8 by 5/6.

7/8 X 6/5 = 42/40.  Reduced to simple form by dividing by 2 is 21/20 = [Transcriber’s Note:  The original text reads ‘1^{1}’] 1-1/20.  Ans.

TO MULTIPLY MIXED NUMBERS.

When two numbers are to be multiplied, one of which contains a fraction, first multiply the whole numbers together, then multiply the fraction by the other whole number, add the two results together for the correct answer.

Example.  What cost 5-1/3 yards at 18c a yard?

18c
5-1/3
—–­
18 x 5 = 90
18 x 1/3 = 6
—–­
96c

When both numbers contain a fraction,

First, multiply the whole numbers together,

Second, multiply the, lower whole number by the upper fraction;

Third, multiply the upper whole number by the lower fraction;

Fourth, multiply the fractions together;

Fifth, add all the results for the correct answer.

Example.  What cost 12-2/3 pounds of butter at 18-3/4c per pound?

18-3/4
12-2/3
-------
18 X 12 = 216
12 x 3/4 = 9
18 X 2/3 = 12
3/4 X 2/3 = 6/12 = 1/2
-------
$2.37-1/2

Common fractions may often be changed to decimals very readily, and the calculations thereby made much easier.

TO CHANGE COMMON FRACTIONS TO DECIMALS.

Annex one or more ciphers to the numerator and divide by the denominator.

Example.  Change 3/4 to a decimal.  Ans. .75.

We add two ciphers to the 3, making it 300, and divide by 4, which gives us.75.  In the same way 1/2 =.5, or 3/4 =.75, and so on.  When a quantity is in dollars and fractions of a dollar, the fractions should always be thus reduced to cents and mills.

* * * * *

TWENTY THOUSAND THINGS WORTH KNOWING.

RELATIVE HARDNESS OF WOODS.

Taking shell bark hickory as the highest standard of our forest trees, and calling that 100, other trees will compare with it for hardness as follows: 

Shell Bark Hickory    100
Pignut Hickory         96
White Oak              84
White Ash              77
Dogwood                75
Scrub Oak              73
White Hazel            72
Apple Tree             70
Red Oak                69
White Beech            65
Black Walnut           65
Black Birch            62
Yellow Oak             60
Hard Maple             56
White Elm              58
Red Cedar              56
Wild Cherry            55
Yellow Pine            54
[Transcriber’s Note:  The original text reads ‘Chesnut’]
Chestnut               52
Yellow Poplar          51
[Transcriber’s Note:  The original text reads ‘Buternut’]
Butternut              43
White Birch            43
White Pine             30

Timber intended for posts is rendered almost proof against rot by thorough seasoning, charring and immersion in hot coal tar.