what is 10 divided by 1 2

Natashya

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24-12-2024

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The question "What is 10 divided by 1/2?" often trips people up, but the answer is surprisingly straightforward once you understand the concept of dividing by fractions. The answer is not 5, but rather 20. Here's why:

Understanding Division with Fractions

When you divide by a fraction, you're essentially asking "how many times does this fraction fit into the whole number?" Let's break it down:

Imagine you have 10 pizzas. You want to know how many servings of 1/2 a pizza you can make. You can easily see that you can make 2 servings from each pizza. Since you have 10 pizzas, you can make 2 servings * 10 pizzas = 20 servings.

The Mathematical Approach

Mathematically, dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. The reciprocal of a fraction is simply flipping the numerator and denominator.

• 1/2 has a reciprocal of 2/1, or simply 2.

Therefore, 10 divided by 1/2 can be rewritten as:

10 × 2 = 20

So, there are 20 halves in 10.

Other Ways to Visualize It

• Using a Number Line: Start at 0 on a number line. Each jump of 1/2 will take you to 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2, and so on. Count how many jumps of 1/2 it takes to reach 10. You'll find it takes 20 jumps.

• Real-World Examples: Think about other scenarios involving halves. If you have 10 gallons of milk and you pour out 1/2 a gallon at a time, how many times can you do this? Twenty.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is to incorrectly calculate 10 / (1/2) as 10/2 = 5. Remember, dividing by a fraction is not the same as dividing the numerator by the denominator. Always remember to multiply by the reciprocal.

Conclusion: 10 Divided by 1/2 = 20

In conclusion, 10 divided by 1/2 equals 20. Understanding the concept of reciprocals and visualizing the problem using real-world examples can help make this concept much clearer. This seemingly simple problem highlights the importance of understanding the fundamental rules of fractions and division. Now you can confidently tackle similar problems involving division by fractions!