3 divided by 1/2
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to perform a division operation where 3 is divided by 1/2. This relates to understanding how to divide a whole number by a fraction, which effectively means multiplying the whole number by the reciprocal of the fraction.
Answer
6
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is 6
Steps to Solve
- Convert the division of a fraction to multiplication of its reciprocal
When dividing by a fraction, we multiply by its reciprocal. The reciprocal of $\frac{1}{2}$ is $2$, because flipping the numerator and the denominator gives us $2$.
- Multiply the whole number by the reciprocal
So, we multiply $3$ by $2$: $$3 \times 2 = 6$$
The final answer is 6
More Information
When you divide by a fraction, it helps to think about what the reciprocal of the fraction is. Multiplying by the reciprocal effectively changes the operation to one that may feel more intuitive, especially for smaller numbers.
Tips
A common mistake is to multiply by the fraction directly instead of its reciprocal. Always remember to flip the numerator and the denominator to find the reciprocal before multiplying.
