Which number sentence can be used to find 42 ÷ 7 =?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To solve for ( 42 \div 7 = ? ), we can use a few different number sentences to understand the division.
Solution
The correct number sentence to find ( 42 \div 7 ) is:
[
7 \times ? = 42
]
Or, phrased in a completed number sentence:
[
7 \times 6 = 42
]
This means ( 42 \div 7 = 6 ).
Explanation
In division, we are essentially breaking a total amount into equal groups. When we see ( 42 \div 7 ), we’re asking, “How many groups of 7 can be found in 42?” This can also be thought of as an inverse multiplication problem: “What number multiplied by 7 will equal 42?”
Why We Use Multiplication to Check Division
In mathematics, multiplication and division are inverse operations. This means that if we know one operation, we can use it to confirm the answer for the other. For instance, if ( 7 \times 6 = 42 ), then it logically follows that ( 42 \div 7 = 6 ). Here, multiplication serves as a “check” to verify that our division answer is accurate.
Understanding Division with Real-Life Example
Let’s think about dividing 42 items into groups of 7. Suppose you have 42 pieces of candy and you want to divide them evenly among 7 friends. You could give each friend 6 pieces because ( 42 \div 7 = 6 ). This way, every friend would get an equal share without any candy left over.
Other Related Sentences and Checks
This division could also be framed with subtraction. If you repeatedly subtract 7 from 42, you would do this six times before reaching zero. This confirms that there are six groups of 7 in 42, reinforcing that ( 42 \div 7 = 6 ).
In summary, the number sentence ( 7 \times 6 = 42 ) helps us find and verify the answer to ( 42 \div 7 ).