What is a half of #1/7#?

2 Answers
Jun 3, 2017

#1/14#

Explanation:

To halve something is to divide it into two equal parts.

If the "something" is a number, this is equivalent to the operations #div2# or #xx 1/2#

Thus, half of 1/7 #= 1/7 xx 1/2 = 1/14#

Jun 3, 2017

#1/14#

Explanation:

Finding half of any fraction is simpler than you might imagine.

Any EVEN number can be divided by 2 exactly.

Therefore, any fraction which has an even numerator can be divided by #2# by dividing the numerator by #2#

Half of #6/11 = 6/11 div 2 = 3/11#

Half of #14/25 = 14/25 div 2 = 7/25#

We can approach this by the "multiply by the reciprocal"

#6/11 div 2 = cancel6^2/11 xx 1/cancel2 = 3/11#

But what if the numerator is odd?

#7/9 div 2 = 7/9 xx1/2 = 7/18#

Notice that the denominator is doubled.

So, to find half of a fraction, either:

  • find half of the top or
  • double the bottom

To answer the question: Find half of #1/7#

Double the denominator to get: #1/14#