This is just an example of a more general rule: dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal (multiplicative inverse). You might say that division can be DEFINED that way. Here is one way to make it look plausible:Take a number - say, 10 - then multiply it by 4, and then multiply it by 1/4. What do you get?
10 x 4 x 1/4 = 10 x (4 x 1/4) = 10 x 1 = 10
Since the product of a number and its multiplicative inverse, by definition, is 1.
But since multiplying by 4 and dividing by 4 are inverse operations, you also get the same result if you first multiply by 4, then divide by 4:
10 x 4 / 4 = 10 (because of the multiplicative inverse)
10
No, taking ½ of a number is the same as dividing it by 2. Dividing a number by ½ is the same as multiplying it by 2.
That is the definition of reciprocal.
no, dividing a number is halving it, multiplying iy by 2 is doubling it
Dividing by any fraction is the same as multiplying by that fraction's reciprocal. To find a fraction's reciprocal on a calculator, simply raise the fraction to the power of -1. In this case, dividing by 1/3 is the same as multiplying by (1/3)-1 = 3. For example, 8 / 1/3 = 8 x 3 = 24
no
10
Because multiplying or dividing them by the same NON-ZERO number does not alter their ratio.
Dividing by a fraction is mathematically identical to multiplying by its reciprocal, so a half divided by one over four is the same as a half multiplied by four over one and the answer is 2.If you meant to multiply a half by a fourth, the answer would be one-eighth.
because there the same
it is the same as multiplying by 0.4
Because doing so is equivalent to multiplying or dividing by x/x, which can be cancelled down to 1.
No, taking ½ of a number is the same as dividing it by 2. Dividing a number by ½ is the same as multiplying it by 2.
Dividing by a non-zero rational number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal.
because of mathematical equivalence: it doesn't change the result
Multiplying by -1/3
1/2