1/2 divided by 4/5

Guri Bee

2 min read

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20-10-2024

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Unlocking the Mystery of 1/2 Divided by 4/5

Dividing fractions can be a bit intimidating, but it's actually a straightforward process once you understand the logic. Let's break down the problem of 1/2 divided by 4/5, using insights from GitHub:

Understanding the Problem

The question "1/2 divided by 4/5" can be rewritten as "How many times does 4/5 go into 1/2?". This is a key concept: we're looking for how many times the second fraction (the divisor) fits into the first fraction (the dividend).

Reciprocals: The Key to Division

A key insight from GitHub is that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. A reciprocal is simply the fraction flipped upside down. So, the reciprocal of 4/5 is 5/4.

The Solution

1. Rewrite the problem: Instead of 1/2 divided by 4/5, we can write it as 1/2 multiplied by 5/4.

2. Multiply the numerators and denominators: (1 x 5) / (2 x 4) = 5/8.

Therefore, 1/2 divided by 4/5 is equal to 5/8.

Visualizing the Solution

Imagine a pizza cut into 10 slices. 1/2 of the pizza represents 5 slices. Now, imagine each slice (1/10 of the pizza) is further divided into 4 smaller pieces. 4/5 of the pizza is represented by 8 of these smaller pieces.

The question "How many times does 4/5 go into 1/2?" becomes "How many sets of 8 small pieces fit into 5 small pieces?". The answer is 5/8, as we can fit 5/8 of a set of 8 small pieces into 5 small pieces.

Practical Application

Understanding fraction division is vital in many practical scenarios. For example, imagine you have 1/2 cup of flour and a recipe calls for 4/5 of a cup. To determine how much of the recipe you can make, you would divide 1/2 by 4/5, which we know is 5/8. This means you can make 5/8 of the full recipe.

Key Takeaways

• Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
• This principle makes fraction division much simpler than it might seem.
• Understanding fraction division has practical applications in various fields, including cooking, construction, and more.

Let's Keep Learning

Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to try out more fraction division problems. With each problem you solve, you'll gain more confidence and fluency in working with fractions.