what is 1 divided by 2 3

Guri Bee

2 min read

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18-10-2024

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Unraveling the Mystery: What is 1 Divided by 2 3?

The question "what is 1 divided by 2 3" might seem straightforward, but it holds a little trick that can lead to confusion. Let's break down the problem and understand its solution.

Understanding the Problem

The core of the issue lies in how we interpret the expression "1 divided by 2 3". Does it mean:

1. (1 / 2) * 3 - Divide 1 by 2, then multiply the result by 3.
2. 1 / (2 * 3) - Multiply 2 and 3, then divide 1 by the product.

The answer depends on the order of operations, commonly remembered by the acronym PEMDAS or BODMAS.

• PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)
• BODMAS: Brackets, Orders, Division and Multiplication (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)

The Solution

Following the order of operations, we should perform the multiplication before division. Therefore, the correct interpretation is:

1 / (2 * 3) = 1 / 6

Additional Insights and Context

This question often comes up in programming languages and mathematical expressions where understanding the order of operations is crucial. Let's look at how this might appear in different contexts:

• Python: 1 / 2 * 3 would evaluate to 0.5 * 3 = 1.5 due to left-to-right evaluation in Python.
• C++: 1 / 2 * 3 would also evaluate to 1.5 for the same reason.

Practical Example

Imagine you have 1 pizza to share equally among 6 friends. Dividing the pizza into sixths (1 / 6) gives each friend their fair share.

Key Takeaways

• Always remember the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to avoid errors in calculations.
• Programming languages may have different rules for operator precedence, so be mindful of the specific language's documentation.
• Understanding the correct interpretation of expressions like "1 divided by 2 3" is essential for accurate results in mathematics and programming.

References:

• PEMDAS Order of Operations - This website provides a clear explanation of PEMDAS.
• Python Arithmetic Operators - This website explains Python's arithmetic operators and their precedence.

Note: This article incorporates information from various sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The provided links are for further exploration and research.