Dividing numbers is a fundamental mathematical operation that we encounter in everyday life. One simple yet illustrative example is the division of 142 by 2.
Understanding Division
Division can be thought of as sharing or grouping a number into smaller parts. In this case, we want to find out how many times 2 fits into 142.
The Calculation
To perform the division:
[ 142 \div 2 = 71 ]
This tells us that when you divide 142 by 2, you get 71. This result can be understood in a couple of ways:
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Equal Distribution: If you have 142 objects and you want to distribute them equally into 2 groups, each group will have 71 objects.
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Inverse of Multiplication: Since multiplication is the inverse operation of division, we can check our work by multiplying the result back:
[ 71 \times 2 = 142 ]
This confirms that our division is correct.
Real-World Applications
Understanding how to divide numbers like 142 by 2 has practical implications:
- Budgeting: If you have $142 and want to split it equally between two friends, each one would get $71.
- Cooking: If a recipe calls for 142 grams of an ingredient but you want to split it into two servings, you would need 71 grams for each serving.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dividing 142 by 2 results in 71. This simple operation not only demonstrates the basic principle of division but also illustrates how it can be applied in various real-life scenarios. Understanding and mastering division is a key mathematical skill that supports a wide range of everyday activities.
