What is 5 Divided by 2?
The phrase "5 divided by 2" represents a basic arithmetic operation in mathematics. It asks us to determine how many times the number 2 fits into the number 5. This type of operation is called division.
Understanding Division
Division is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic, alongside addition, subtraction, and multiplication. It involves splitting a whole into equal parts. In this case, we are dividing the whole (5) into equal parts represented by the divisor (2).
Calculating 5 Divided by 2
To calculate 5 divided by 2, we can use several methods:
1. Long Division:
- Write 5 as the dividend and 2 as the divisor.
- Divide the dividend (5) by the divisor (2).
- The quotient (the result of division) is 2 with a remainder of 1.
- This means 2 fits into 5 twice with one leftover.
2. Fraction Representation:
- Division can be represented as a fraction.
- 5 divided by 2 can be written as 5/2.
- This fraction represents 5 parts out of 2, or 2.5.
3. Decimal Representation:
- We can convert the fraction 5/2 into a decimal by dividing 5 by 2.
- The decimal representation of 5 divided by 2 is 2.5.
The Result
Therefore, the answer to 5 divided by 2 is 2.5.
Conclusion
Understanding division is crucial for various mathematical operations and everyday calculations. Knowing how to calculate 5 divided by 2 provides a fundamental understanding of division and its application in representing quantities as fractions or decimals.