1. The problem asks how to distribute 178 stitches across 271 stitches. 2. This can be interpreted as finding the ratio of 178 stitches to 271 stitches, or computing the fraction $$\frac{178}{271}$$. 3. Simplify the fraction if possible. First, find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of 178 and 271. 4. Factors of 178: 1, 2, 89, 178. 5. Factors of 271: 1, 271 (271 is prime). 6. GCD(178,271) = 1 (since they have no common factors other than 1). 7. Therefore, the fraction $$\frac{178}{271}$$ is already in simplest form. 8. To distribute, for every 271 stitches, 178 correspond to one part, and the remaining $$271 - 178 = 93$$ stitches correspond to the other part. 9. The ratio of distribution is thus 178 to 93. Final answer: The stitches can be distributed in the ratio $$178:93$$ or as the fraction $$\frac{178}{271}$$ of the total stitches.