what is half of 9 16

2 min read 24-12-2024

Finding half of a fraction might seem tricky, but it's a straightforward process once you understand the steps. This article will walk you through calculating half of 9/16, explaining the method so you can easily apply it to other fractions.

Understanding the Problem: Half of 9/16

The question "What is half of 9/16?" is asking us to divide the fraction 9/16 by 2. Remember that dividing by 2 is the same as multiplying by 1/2. This makes the calculation much easier.

Calculating Half of 9/16

Here's how to solve this:

1. Rewrite the problem as a multiplication:

Instead of dividing 9/16 by 2, we'll multiply 9/16 by 1/2. This looks like this:

(9/16) * (1/2)

2. Multiply the numerators:

Multiply the numbers on top (the numerators):

9 * 1 = 9

3. Multiply the denominators:

Multiply the numbers on the bottom (the denominators):

16 * 2 = 32

4. Simplify the resulting fraction:

Our answer so far is 9/32. In this case, the fraction is already in its simplest form because 9 and 32 share no common factors other than 1.

The Answer: Half of 9/16 is 9/32

Therefore, half of 9/16 is 9/32.

Visualizing the Fraction

Imagine a pizza cut into 16 slices. You have 9 of those slices (9/16 of the pizza). To find half, you'd simply divide your 9 slices in half, resulting in 9 smaller slices from a pizza now conceptually cut into 32 slices (9/32).

Applying this Method to Other Fractions

You can use this same method to find half (or any other fraction) of any other fraction. Simply multiply the original fraction by the fraction representing the "half" (1/2), "third" (1/3), etc., and simplify the result.

Decimal Equivalent (Optional)

If you prefer a decimal answer, you can divide 9 by 32 using a calculator:

9 ÷ 32 ≈ 0.28125

So, half of 9/16 is approximately 0.28125.

This approach not only answers "What is half of 9/16?" but also equips you with the skill to handle similar fraction problems. Remember the key is to convert division into multiplication with the reciprocal.