48 divided 8

Guri Bee

2 min read

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22-10-2024

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48 Divided by 8: A Simple Division Problem Explained

Have you ever wondered what happens when you divide 48 by 8? This seemingly simple arithmetic problem can be solved in a few ways, and understanding the logic behind it is crucial for a solid grasp of basic math. Let's explore different approaches and delve into the reasoning.

The Basics: What is Division?

Division is the process of splitting a whole number into equal parts. It's essentially the opposite of multiplication. When you divide 48 by 8, you're asking "How many times does 8 fit into 48?"

Method 1: Repeated Subtraction

One way to visualize division is through repeated subtraction. Start with 48 and keep subtracting 8 until you reach zero. Count how many times you subtracted.

• 48 - 8 = 40
• 40 - 8 = 32
• 32 - 8 = 24
• 24 - 8 = 16
• 16 - 8 = 8
• 8 - 8 = 0

You subtracted 8 a total of 6 times. Therefore, 48 divided by 8 equals 6.

Method 2: Multiplication Tables

If you know your multiplication tables, you can find the answer directly. You're essentially looking for the number that, when multiplied by 8, gives you 48. Since 8 x 6 = 48, then 48 / 8 = 6.

Method 3: Long Division (for larger numbers)

While the previous methods work well for smaller numbers, long division is a more systematic approach that can be applied to larger numbers as well. Here's a simplified example:

     6
8 | 48
    48
    ---
     0

• We ask how many times 8 goes into 48, which is 6.
• We multiply 6 by 8 (6 x 8 = 48) and write it below the 48.
• We subtract 48 from 48, leaving us with 0.

This confirms that 48 divided by 8 equals 6.

Practical Application

Understanding division is essential in many aspects of our daily lives:

• Sharing: If you have 48 cookies and want to share them equally among 8 friends, each friend would get 6 cookies (48 / 8 = 6).
• Measurement: Imagine you have a piece of string that is 48 inches long. If you want to cut it into 8 equal pieces, each piece would be 6 inches long (48 / 8 = 6).
• Money: If you earn $48 and want to buy 8 identical items, each item would cost $6 (48 / 8 = 6).

Conclusion

Dividing 48 by 8 gives us the answer 6. While there are different methods to solve this problem, they all lead to the same result. Mastering division is a fundamental skill that has applications in numerous real-life scenarios, making it a crucial concept to understand.