Do 10 divide by 0 and 0 divide by 10 have the same answer?

1 Answer
Jun 9, 2016

No.

#10/0# is UNDEFINED

#0/10=0#

Explanation:

Start from a definition of an operation of division.
#a# divided by #b# is such a number #c# that #a=b*c#.

So, #10/0# must be such a number that, if multiplied by #0#, gives #10#. But any number multiplied by #0# gives #0#, not #10#.
Therefore, #10/0# is UNDEFINED.

Next, #0/10# is a number that, if multiplied by #10#, gives #0#. The only number with such a property is #0# because #0*10=0#. Any other number, multiplied by #10#, will not result in #0#.
Therefore, #0/10=0#.