After 3/4 of a minute a sloth has moved just 3/8 of a foot. what is the sloth's speed in feet per minute?

Speed is computed by dividing Distance by its Time.

Speed = Distance / Time

Distance = 3/8 feet

Time = 3/4 minutes

Speed = 3/8 : 3/4

As you have noticed, the dividend and divisor are fractions. There are rules in dividing fractions.

1) Turn the 2nd fraction, the divisor, upside down. this is to get its reciprocal.

Dividend = 3/8

Divisor = 3/4; turn it upside down 4/3

2) Multiply the first fraction to the reciprocal

multiply tops multiply bottoms

3/8 X 4/3 = 3 x 4 : 8 x 3 = 12 : 24

3) Simplify the fraction:

12 / 24 = 0.50

The speed of the sloth is 0.50 feet per minute

The sloth moves half a foot per minute