1/2 × 24: Understanding the Calculation
In mathematics, multiplication is one of the fundamental operations that we use to solve problems. However, when dealing with fractions, the calculation can get a bit tricky. In this article, we will explore the calculation 1/2 × 24 and break it down step by step.
What does 1/2 mean?
The fraction 1/2 represents one half or 50% of a whole. It is a fraction that is often used in everyday life, and it's essential to understand how to work with it.
Multiplying 1/2 by 24
To multiply 1/2 by 24, we need to follow the rules of multiplication. In this case, we are multiplying a fraction by a whole number.
Step 1: Multiply the numerator
The numerator is the top number of the fraction, which is 1. We will multiply 1 by 24:
1 × 24 = 24
Step 2: Multiply the denominator
The denominator is the bottom number of the fraction, which is 2. Since we are multiplying the fraction by a whole number, the denominator remains the same, which is 2.
Step 3: Write the answer
Now, we can write the answer by combining the results of steps 1 and 2:
24/2
Simplifying the fraction
To simplify the fraction, we can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). In this case, the GCD of 24 and 2 is 2. Therefore, we can divide both numbers by 2:
24 ÷ 2 = 12 2 ÷ 2 = 1
The simplified answer is:
12/1 = 12
Final Answer
The final answer to the calculation 1/2 × 24 is 12.
