15 divided by 2 is equivalent to
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The result of dividing 15 by 2 is ( 7.5 ).
Explanation of Division
Division is one of the four fundamental operations of arithmetic, along with addition, subtraction, and multiplication. It involves determining how many times one number (the divisor) can fit into another number (the dividend). In this case, we have:
- Dividend: 15
- Divisor: 2
When we divide 15 by 2, we are essentially asking how many whole times 2 can be subtracted from 15 without going below zero.
- Whole Number Division: If we perform whole number division, we can subtract 2 from 15 repeatedly:
- ( 15 – 2 = 13 )
- ( 13 – 2 = 11 )
- ( 11 – 2 = 9 )
- ( 9 – 2 = 7 )
- ( 7 – 2 = 5 )
- ( 5 – 2 = 3 )
- ( 3 – 2 = 1 )
After 7 subtractions, we find that subtracting 2 from 15 results in 1, which is less than 2, meaning we cannot subtract 2 again without going negative. Thus, the whole number part of our answer is 7.
- Fractional Part: The remainder from the whole number division (1) indicates that we still have a part of 2 remaining to consider. To find this fractional part, we can express the remainder as a fraction of the divisor:
- ( \frac{1}{2} = 0.5 )
- Final Answer: Combining the whole number with the fractional part gives us:
- ( 7 + 0.5 = 7.5 )
Practical Applications of Division
Division has numerous applications in everyday life, including dividing resources, calculating averages, or converting measurements. Understanding how to divide can help in budgeting, cooking, and various forms of problem-solving. It is a foundational skill that lays the groundwork for more complex mathematical concepts, such as ratios, proportions, and algebra.
In summary, 15 divided by 2 results in 7.5, illustrating the basic principles of division, which encompass both whole numbers and fractions.