3/8 divided by 1/2

Guri Bee

less than a minute read

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18-10-2024

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Dividing Fractions: Unpacking 3/8 Divided by 1/2

Dividing fractions can seem intimidating, but it's actually a straightforward process once you understand the concept. In this article, we'll explore the division of 3/8 by 1/2, breaking down the steps and providing explanations to make the process clear.

The Problem: 3/8 ÷ 1/2

This problem asks: how many times does 1/2 fit into 3/8? To solve this, we utilize the concept of reciprocals and multiplication.

The Solution: Flipping and Multiplying

1. Find the Reciprocal: The reciprocal of a fraction is found by flipping the numerator and the denominator. In our case, the reciprocal of 1/2 is 2/1.

2. Multiply: Instead of dividing by the original fraction, we multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

• 3/8 ÷ 1/2 = 3/8 × 2/1

3. Simplify: Multiply the numerators and the denominators:

• (3 × 2) / (8 × 1) = 6/8

4. Reduce to Lowest Terms: Both 6 and 8 are divisible by 2. Therefore, the simplified answer is:

• 6/8 = 3/4

Conclusion: 3/8 ÷ 1/2 = 3/4

This means that 1/2 fits into 3/8 a total of 3/4 times.

Why does this work?

Think of dividing by a fraction as asking "how many times does this fraction fit into the other?". By multiplying by the reciprocal, we are essentially scaling the problem to whole numbers, making the division easier to visualize.

Practical Example:

Imagine you have 3/8 of a pizza and want to divide it amongst your friends, giving each friend 1/2 of a slice. The answer, 3/4, tells us that you can give 3/4 of a full slice to each friend.

Key Takeaways:

• Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
• This method simplifies the division process and allows us to easily visualize the problem.
• Fractions are a powerful tool for representing parts of a whole and understanding quantities.

Remember: Mastering fractions is crucial for many areas of math, science, and everyday life. By understanding the concept of division and reciprocals, you can confidently solve fraction problems and apply them to real-world scenarios.