When faced with the mathematical problem of dividing 5/8 by 2, it’s natural to wonder what the solution is. To find the answer, we need to understand how division works and apply it to this specific fraction.
Dividing a fraction involves multiplying by its reciprocal or flipping the second number and then performing multiplication. In this case, we have 5/8 ÷ 2. To simplify this expression, we can rewrite 2 as a fraction with a denominator of 1: 2/1.
Next, we multiply the first fraction (5/8) by the reciprocal of the second fraction (2/1). Multiplying across gives us (5/8) * (1/2), which simplifies to (5 * 1) / (8 * 2).
Now, performing the multiplication yields us an answer of 5/16. Therefore, when dividing 5/8 by 2, the result is equal to 5/16.
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Understanding how to divide fractions allows us to solve various mathematical problems effortlessly. By applying these rules correctly and consistently, we can confidently tackle any division involving fractions like in our example of dividing 5/8 by 2, resulting in an accurate solution of 5/16.
The Basics of Division
In this section, I’ll discuss the fundamentals of division and provide a clear explanation of how to solve the problem 5/8 divided by 2.
To begin with, division is simply a way to distribute or share a quantity equally among a given number of groups. It allows us to find out how many times one number (the divisor) can be subtracted from another number (the dividend) without leaving any remainder.
Now let’s focus on the specific problem at hand: “5/8 divided by 2”. To solve this, we need to divide the fraction 5/8 by the whole number 2.
Here’s how we can approach it:
1. Convert the whole number into a fraction: Since 2 can be written as 2/1, our problem becomes “5/8 divided by 2/1”.
– This step is crucial because when dividing fractions, we actually multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor. By converting whole numbers into fractions, we ensure consistency in our calculations.
2. Multiply the dividend (5/8) by the reciprocal of the divisor (1/2):
– When dividing fractions, we flip or invert the second fraction and then multiply them together.
– So, multiplying 5/8 by 1/2 gives us (5/8) * (1/2).
3. Simplify if necessary:
– To simplify further, we can cancel out common factors between numerator and denominator.
– In this case, there are no common factors between 5 and 8 or between 1 and 2 that can be canceled out.
4. Perform multiplication:
– Multiplying numerators gives us 5 * 1 = **<<(5*1=5)>>**.
– And multiplying denominators gives us **<<(8*2=16)>>**.
5. Final answer:
– Putting it all together, the result of “5/8 divided by 2” is **<<(5/8)/(2/1) = 5/16>>**.
Remember, division is a way to distribute or share quantities equally. By following these steps and understanding the basics of division, you can confidently solve problems like “5/8 divided by 2” and tackle more complex divisions in the future.
5/8 Divided By 2
Fractions can sometimes be a puzzling concept, but once you grasp their fundamentals, they become a valuable tool for solving mathematical problems. In this section, I’ll explain the basics of fractions and delve into how to divide 5/8 by 2.
What is a Fraction?
A fraction represents a part of a whole or a number that is not whole. It consists of two components: the numerator and the denominator. The numerator indicates how many parts are being considered, while the denominator represents the total number of equal parts that make up the whole.
For example, in the fraction 5/8, 5 is the numerator, indicating we have five out of eight parts. The denominator is 8 since there are eight equal parts in total.